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Boston knew what was coming from Angels
by Rob Bradford, WEEI.com, Special to FOXSports.com
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Other than that, it was hard to find fault in the Red Sox's game plan.
Starting with a four-plus-hour get-together in the uncomfortable 85-degree makeshift meeting room, the Sox's plan of attack against the Angels did nothing to dissuade the notion that this team has established a leg up when it comes to the process of preparation for the postseason.
The final result was a 3-1 series victory over Los Angeles, which was punctuated by the Sox's walk-off, 3-2 win Monday night at Fenway Park. There were several intricacies that could be found within the Red Sox's successes that helped define the team's latest postseason triumph.
It has become clear to all of baseball that when it comes to building a blueprint for playoff victories, there is nobody better than the Sox.
"Right from the get-go, six years ago, we identified that as an area we might be able to get an edge," said Epstein regarding the team's approach to scouting for the playoffs. "It's an area where if you ignore it can burn you. And if you emphasize it, it can be a competitive advantage. We've changed personnel along the way, we changed format a little bit along the way and we've allocated our resources. I think as our players, manager and coaching staff have bought into the system, it has taken it to a whole new level."
The foundation for the Red Sox's plan heading into the Angels' series was the advance scouting work done by David Howard and Dana Levangie. After the pair built their reports regarding the Angels, they were brought in to address the organization's decision-makers and coaching staff to start formulating a plan of attack.
"We have a free-flow of ideas," Epstein said. "A real discourse to try and get the right answers."
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It appeared as though the Red Sox most likely got the majority of their answers right when it came to taking on the Angels.
The most memorable instance of the Sox putting themselves in position to succeed came on what was most likely the second-biggest play of Monday night's game, a failed squeeze play in which L.A.'s Erick Aybar missed a Manny Delcarmen fastball with Reggie Willits at third base, representing the go-ahead run.
While it was imperative Delcarmen throw a strike after falling behind 2-0 with two inside heaters, the buzz throughout the Red Sox dugout during Aybar's at-bat revolved around the warnings handed out in the team's pre-series meeting.
"That squeeze, you had the feeling it was going to happen," said Red Sox infielder Alex Cora. "It was amazing."
It was a combination that added up when remembering the scouting report: A "70" (above average) runner in Willits and the most proficient bunter on the Angels, Aybar, at-bat, having already put down a team-leading nine bunt hits and nine sacrifice bunts this season.
"They'd done it to us multiple times," said Red Sox catcher Jason Vartiek. "Since I'd been here, they have ... We were very aware of it. (Bench coach Brad Mills) was aware of it. Even Manny (Delcarmen) was. We discussed it before he made any pitches."
As important as that one play was in deciding the outcome of the series, it was the consistent stream of execution that made the biggest difference. For example, the scouting of the Angels' middle of the order became vital in limiting the power production of Mark Teixeira and Vladlimir Guerrero.
"We've seen these guys so many times I think the scouting report validated what we saw in those nine games," said Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell. "Teixeira was probably the biggest unknown coming in and someone we might pitch around to manage the lineup."
If the Red Sox had their choice in a big spot, they were going to let Guerrero beat them, not Teixeira. While pitching around the L.A. first baseman, the Sox clearly had a specific plan of attack against the Angels' cleanup hitter.
Boston pitchers were told to go with hard stuff, up and in, as much as possible against Guerrero, before ultimately finishing him off low and away. The report said that the more you were able to get inside with the free-swinging slugger, the more aggressive he would get, potentially chasing a ball out of the zone.
But perhaps the most trouble the Sox had with any Angels hitter was catcher Mike Napoli, who they hadn't seen as much as the other L.A. catcher, Jeff Mathis, in the teams' previous meetings.
"They told us he's as hot as anybody on the team," said Sox catcher Kevin Cash. "Don't give him any get-me-over curveballs, and no strike breaking balls. He gets a strike breaking ball and hits it off the lights. Still, you always have to take into account that it's a Josh Beckett breaking ball and not just an average one. But I don't know if there is a more prepared team in terms of what they give us."
After the game, Angels starter John Lackey claimed, "We are way better than they are. We lost to a team not as good as us."
That declaration, however, was clearly dismissing the entire package, one which included an advantage the Sox have proven they possess in the postseason — preparation.
"They don't tell you exactly what you need to do. They tell you strengths and weaknesses and points of interest," Beckett said. "They don't overload you with (expletive). They simplify it. It's pretty impressive."
Rob Bradford is the site editor of WEEI.com.
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