2008 American League Division Series

Infobox LDS
alds = yes


year = 2008
champion1 = Boston Red Sox (3)
champion1_manager = Terry Francona
champion1_games = 95-67, .586, GB: 2
runnerup1 = Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (1)
runnerup1_manager = Mike Scioscia
runnerup1_games = 100-62, .617, GA: 21
date1 = October 1–6
television1 = TBS
announcers1 = Chip Caray, Buck Martinez
radio1 = ESPN Radio
radio_announcers1 = Dan Shulman, Dave Campbell
umpires1 = Tim Welke, Bill Miller, Kerwin Danley, Ed Rapuano, Tim Tschida, Marty Foster
champion2 = Tampa Bay Rays (3)
champion2_manager = Joe Maddon
champion2_games = 97-65, .599, GA: 2
runnerup2 = Chicago White Sox (1)
runnerup2_manager = Ozzie Guillén
runnerup2_games = 89-74, .546, GA: 1
date2 = October 2–6
television2 = TBS
announcers2 = Don Orsillo, Harold Reynolds
radio2 = ESPN Radio
radio_announcers2 = Gary Thorne, Chris Singleton
umpires2 = Joe West, C. B. Bucknor, Ron Kulpa, Jeff Kellogg, Gary Darling, Eric CooperThe 2008 American League Division Series (ALDS), the first round of the 2008 American League playoffs consisted of two best-of-five series. They were:

* (1) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Western Division champions, 100-62) vs. (4) Boston Red Sox (Wild Card qualifier, 95-67); Red Sox win series, 3-1.
* (2) Tampa Bay Rays (Eastern Division champions, 97-65) vs. (3) Chicago White Sox (Central Division champions, 89-74); Rays win series, 3-1. Since the Twins and the White Sox completed the regular season with identical records (88-74), the two teams played against each other in a one-game playoff. The White Sox defeated the Twins, 1-0, and thus became the AL Central champions.

Matchups

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Boston Red Sox

"Boston wins the series, 3-1"

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox

"Tampa Bay wins the series, 3-1"

Los Angeles vs. Boston

Game 1, October 1

Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CaliforniaLinescore
Road=Boston|RoadAbr=BOS
R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=2|R7=0|R8=0|R9=2|RR=4|RH=8|RE=1
Home=Los Angeles|HomeAbr=LAA
H1=0|H2=0|H3=1|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=1|HH=9|HE=1
WP=Jon Lester (1-0)|LP=John Lackey (0-1)|SV=Jonathan Papelbon (1)
RoadHR=Jason Bay (1)|HomeHR=|

In a re-match of last year's ALDS, starters Jon Lester and John Lackey were sharp early on, each tossing a couple of scorless innings. The Angels finally got on the board in the third, when Torii Hunter singled home Garret Anderson to put the Angels up 1-0. Lackey held the Red Sox scoreless until the sixth, when newly acquired left fielder Jason Bay hit a two-run homer to put the Sox up 2-1. It would stay 2-1 until the ninth. The Sox got a couple of insurance runs, with Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz each singling home a run. Jonathan Papelbon struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth for his fifth career postseason save. This marked the Angels' 10th consecutive playoff game loss to the Red Sox (dating back to game 5 of the 1986 American League Championship Series), as well as their eighth consecutive playoff game loss overall (dating back to game 2 of the 2005 ALCS).

Game 2, October 3

Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CaliforniaLinescore
Road=Boston|RoadAbr=BOS
R1=4|R2=0|R3=0|R4=1|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=2|RR=7|RH=14|RE=0
Home=Los Angeles|HomeAbr=LAA
H1=1|H2=0|H3=0|H4=1|H5=1|H6=0|H7=1|H8=1|H9=0|HR=5|HH=11|HE=2
WP=Jonathan Papelbon (1-0)|LP=Francisco Rodriguez (0-1)|SV=
RoadHR=Jason Bay (2), J.D. Drew (1)|HomeHR=|

The Red Sox jumped out to an early lead in the first thanks to a three-run homer by Jason Bay. The Angels scored one run in the first off of an effective but inefficient Dice-K and continued to chip away at Boston's lead throughout the game. In total, the Angels recorded 11 hits with 10 of them being singles. In the eighth inning Mark Teixeira tied the game with a sacrifice fly off of Jonathan Papelbon who had to enter the game prematurely due to Justin Masterson giving up a leadoff triple. The game entered the ninth inning tied at five but that score was soon dismantled after a double by David Ortiz and a two-run home run to center by JD Drew. K-Rod was stuck with the loss and although Papelbon had a blown save he also recorded the win. Boston lead the series two games to none headed back to Fenway Park.

Game 3, October 5

Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsLinescore
Road=Los Angeles|RoadAbr=LAA
R1=1|R2=0|R3=2|R4=0|R5=1|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|R10=0|R11=0|R12=1|RR=5|RH=16|RE=0
Home=Boston|HomeAbr=BOS
H1=0|H2=3|H3=0|H4=0|H5=1|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|H10=0|H11=0|H12=0|HR=4|HH=7|HE=0
RSP=|HSP=
WP=Jered Weaver (1-0)|LP=Javier López (0-1)|SV=
RoadHR=Mike Napoli 2 (2)|HomeHR=|

The Angels got to an early lead when Juan Rivera drew a bases loaded walk to score Chone Figgins from third. A fielding miscue by the Angels in the second inning caused a fly ball hit by Jacoby Ellsbury to drop between Torii Hunter and Howie Kendrick in shallow center field, scoring three runs (Jed Lowrie, Jason Varitek, and Coco Crisp) and giving the Red Sox a two-run lead. The next inning, Mike Napoli tied the score with a two-run home run over the Green Monster that completely left the ballpark. In the fifth inning, Napoli hit another home run over the Monster, giving the Angels a one-run lead. Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis hit back-to-back doubles in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score at four apiece. The score remained deadlocked until the top of the 12th inning, when Napoli scored from second on an Erick Aybar single. The Angels' win ended an 11-game postseason losing streak against the Red Sox that dated back to 1986, and a nine-game overall postseason skid that dated back to 2005.

Game 4, October 6

Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsLinescore
Road=Los Angeles|RoadAbr=LAA
R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=2|R9=0|RR=2|RH=6|RE=1
Home=Boston|HomeAbr=BOS
H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=2|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=1|HR=3|HH=9|HE=0
RSP=|HSP=
WP=Manny Delcarmen (1-0)|LP=Scot Shields (0-1)|SV=
RoadHR=|HomeHR=|

The game remained scoreless for the first four and a half innings thanks to sharp pitching from both John Lackey and Jon Lester. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Boston got its first run when Jacoby Ellsbury grounded out to second base, scoring Mark Kotsay from 3rd base. Howie Kendrick bobbled the ball and was unable to try for a double play, which would have ended the inning. Dustin Pedroia then hit a double off the left field wall to score Jason Varitek from second. In the eighth inning, a passed ball allowed Mark Teixiera and Vladimir Guerrero to advance on second and third, and they subsequently scored on a single by Torii Hunter to tie the game. In the top of the ninth inning, the Angels threatened with a leadoff double by pinch hitter Kendry Morales followed by a sacrifice bunt, but when Erick Aybar failed to make contact on a suicide squeeze attempt, the runner was tagged out. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Jed Lowrie won the game with a walk-off single, scoring Jason Bay from 2nd base.

Composite Box

2008 ALDS (3-1): Boston Red Sox over Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLinescore
Road=Boston Red Sox
R1=4|R2=3|R3=0|R4=1|R5=3|R6=2|R7=0|R8=0|R9=5|R10=0|R11=0|R12=0|RR=18|RH=38|RE=1
Home=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
H1=2|H2=0|H3=3|H4=1|H5=2|H6=0|H7=1|H8=3|H9=0|H10=0|H11=0|H12=1|HR=13|HH=42|HE=4Total Attendance: 168,202 Average Attendance: 42,051|

Tampa Bay vs. Chicago

Game 1, October 2

Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FloridaLinescore
Road=Chicago|RoadAbr=CWS
R1=0|R2=0|R3=3|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=1|RR=4|RH=7|RE=0
Home=Tampa Bay|HomeAbr=TB
H1=0|H2=1|H3=3|H4=0|H5=2|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=X|HR=6|HH=11|HE=0
WP=James Shields (1-0)|LP=Javier Vázquez (0-1)|SV=Dan Wheeler (1)
RoadHR=DeWayne Wise (1), Paul Konerko (1)|HomeHR=Evan Longoria 2 (2)|

Rookie Evan Longoria was the Rays hitting star, going 3 for 3, with two home runs and three RBIs. Longoria's homers came in consecutive at-bats against White Sox starter Javier Vázquez, and he became only the second ever player to homer in his first two career post-season at-bats, the other being Gary Gaetti in 1987. The Rays also scored on RBI hits from Akinori Iwamura and Carl Crawford. DeWayne Wise and Paul Konerko homered for the White Sox.

Game 2, October 3

Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FloridaLinescore
Road=Chicago|RoadAbr=CWS
R1=2|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=2|RH=12|RE=1
Home=Tampa Bay|HomeAbr=TB
H1=0|H2=1|H3=0|H4=0|H5=2|H6=0|H7=0|H8=3|H9=X|HR=6|HH=12|HE=0
WP=Scott Kazmir (1-0)|LP=Mark Buehrle (0-1)|SV=
RoadHR=|HomeHR=Akinori Iwamura (1)|

The Rays took a 2-0 series lead behind an effective but shaky Scott Kazmir, who gave up eight hits and two runs in five innings. Mark Buehrle gave up five earned runs, giving up second baseman Akinori Iwamura's go-ahead two-run homer in the fifth, which put the Rays up for good. Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli and Dioner Navarro all drove in runs.

Game 3, October 5

U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, IllinoisLinescore
Road=Tampa Bay|RoadAbr=TB
R1=0|R2=1|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=2|R8=0|R9=0|RR=3|RH=8|RE=0
Home=Chicago|HomeAbr=CWS
H1=0|H2=0|H3=1|H4=3|H5=0|H6=1|H7=0|H8=0|H9=X|HR=5|HH=7|HE=0
RSP=|HSP=
WP=John Danks (1-0)|LP=Matt Garza (0-1)|SV=Bobby Jenks (1)
RoadHR=B. J. Upton (1)|HomeHR=|

The Rays got on the board first when Akinori Iwamura singled with two outs in the 2nd inning to score Dioner Navarro. Chicago evened the score in the bottom of the third inning when Dewayne Wise scored on a single by A. J. Pierzynski after stealing second base. Chicago took the lead in the bottom of the 4th when Alexei Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded and one out. Then Dewayne Wise doubled to score Paul Konerko and Ken Griffey, Jr. In the 6th inning, the White Sox added an insurance run when Juan Uribe drove in Brian Anderson with two outs. The Rays finally chased starter John Danks after a 2-run homer by B. J. Upton and a single by Carlos Pena. Neither bullpen allowed any runs; Bobby Jenks recorded the save.

Game 4, October 6

U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, IllinoisLinescore
Road=Tampa Bay|RoadAbr=TB
R1=1|R2=0|R3=1|R4=2|R5=1|R6=0|R7=1|R8=0|R9=0|RR=6|RH=10|RE=0
Home=Chicago|HomeAbr=CWS
H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=1|H5=0|H6=1|H7=0|H8=0|H9=0|HR=2|HH=4|HE=0
RSP=|HSP=
WP=Andy Sonnanstine (1-0)|LP=Gavin Floyd (0-1)|SV=
RoadHR=B. J. Upton 2 (3)|HomeHR=Paul Konerko (2), Jermaine Dye (1)|

The Rays established an early lead after two solo home runs by B. J. Upton in the 1st and 3rd innings, and never gave up the lead. The Rays added two more runs in the fourth on consecutive hits by Cliff Floyd and Dioner Navarro, and added two more runs on RBI singles by Carlos Pena in the 5th and 7th innings. The White Sox scored twice on two solo home runs by Paul Konerko (4th inning) and Jermaine Dye (6th inning), both off Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine who allowed 3 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Composite Box

2008 ALDS (3-1): Tampa Bay Rays over Chicago White SoxLinescore
Road=Tampa Bay Rays
R1=1|R2=3|R3=4|R4=2|R5=5|R6=0|R7=3|R8=3|R9=0|RR=21|RH=41|RE=0
Home=Chicago White Sox
H1=2|H2=0|H3=4|H4=4|H5=0|H6=2|H7=0|H8=0|H9=1|HR=13|HH=30|HE=1Total Attendance: 150,894 Average Attendance: 37,724|

Quotes

"2-2 to Griffey...struck him out! In the postseason for the first time, the Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the American League Championship Series!" Don Orsillo, calling the final out, TB vs. CHW

"He bounces one right side, through...BASE HIT! HERE COMES BAY AROUND THIRD! WILLITS LOADS UP, THROW TO THE PLATE...RED SOX WIN IT!" - Chip Caray, calling Jed Lowrie's ALDS winning RBI single

References