Halos vs BoSox: This Time. . . IT’S PERSONAL

This ALDS series is almost the exact opposite of 2007. Last year, the Angels definitely made me nervous going against my Sox. . . but only in the same way you get nervous about emptying the lint filter out of the dryer, or nervous about whether or not your filthy little monkey might have fleas.

This year, the matchup is flipped on its head: Vlad/Texeira is like Ortiz/Ramirez, only without the injuries or attitude. The starting pitchers are solid on both sides. . . Lester has become an ace all on his own, and Dice has finally settled down and if he’d quit dancing around the outside of the strike zone and get aggressive, he’d be lethal; but Beckett is out and don’t be surprised if he doesn’t pitch in Game 3. Matt Leach at MLB.com says the game might come down to middle relief, and if that’s the case, I’ll be screaming at Francona when he puts Manny Delcarmen in. And the only thing more terrifying than K-Rod’s heat is the victory dance he puts on after a win.

Two things keep me smiling going into this series with the Angels:

1) History. . . The Red Sox have DOMINATED the Angels in post season play. This year, the Sox got owned in regular season play. But we all know, everything resets in October. . . and the team that showed up last time in Anaheim has made huge changes to their roster since, but that being said, the big reason I smile is:

2) Dustin Pedroia. . . they chant “MVP” when he comes to bat in Fenway; he finished the season at .326, with 17 home runs, 83 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases; he’s a massive smack talker on the bench; Ozzie Guillen lives in mortal fear of him; and he wants serious revenge against the Monkey. Be afraid, Anaheim.