Boston Red Sox

Jonathan Papelbon allowed two inherited runs to score in the top of the eighth inning in Game Three of the Best of Five series against the Angels. He allowed three of his own in the ninth inning.

This Article Originally Published at GetOutofMyBallpark.com.

There is no real fall in New England.

From Opening Day in April until the last out is made on the Boys of Summer, we have six (sometimes seven) glorious months of sunny days and warm temperatures. After that, it's all dark, cold, gray winter.

It's not what they were hoping for, but the Boston Red Sox find themselves down two games to none against the American League West Champions, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, in the American League Division Series.

Down 2-0 in a five-game series? Pshhhh, please. That's nothing. Try being down 3-0 to your blood rivals in the ALCS a year removed from them ripping your hearts out in Game Seven.

Sunday's Game Three against the Angels is just another day at Fenway Park...we hope.

This is getting to be old news for the Local Nine: down 3-1 in '04 against the afore-mentioned Yankees and down 3-1 in '07 against the Cleveland Indians - both World Series winning seasons. They were also down 3-1 in the ALCS last season but since they lost in Game 7, many forget the accomplishment.

Team Hoping History Is On Their Side Once Again

The Major League Baseball American League Divisional Series is upon as and it features two of the most successful teams in the league over the last few years. The Angels, who have won their division the last three years will face off against the Red Sox, who have also been in the postseason for the last three years.

Today, Ian Bethune relaunched the very popular SOX & Dawgs

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They say "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence," leaving one to believe that they have never played in Jeff Paolino's back yard.

Paolino is the Head Groundskeeper for the Lowell Spinners, Class-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, and was recently named the New York-Penn League Sports Turf Manager of the Year for his work at LeLacheur Park.

An avid baseball fan and criminal justice major, Paolino, in his second season as the Spinners head groundskeeper after three seasons as the assistant. 

The Angels and Red Sox starting rotations were statistically very similar throughout the season...how the starters perform over the next week will go a long way in determining who will advance to the '09 ALCS.

I have just placed my crystal ball on my desk...let's take a look at the likely matchups:

Game One: John Lackey and Jon Lester