To me the difference maker in this series is that the indians are scoring first and getting production out of everyone in the lineup. The red sox lineup after lowell is horrible and it seems that every time papi, manny, or lowell gets on base, the rest of the lineup hits into double plays. I think terry francona needs to shake up the lineup a bit and start putting in different players like kielty and ellisbury. Red sox should win game 5 but the way there offensive is...if sabathia can shut them down...one mistake from beckett could end the series.

This game 5 will be the deciding game on who wins the rest of the series...i think if the red sox can win game 5, they should go back to boston with more momentum and win 6 and 7...what do you think?

The difference has been pitching.

Beckett outpitched Sabathia in game 1, and the Sox won.

Neither starter was very good in game 2, but Boston's bullpen melted down in the 11th inning, and Cleveland won.

The Indians took games 3 and 4 because Westbrook and Byrd outpitched Dice-K and Wakefield.

I kinda agree with what you're saying about our lineup, but I think we're looking at the same situation from two different sides. Yes, the bats have been pretty silent the last 2 games, but the reason for that is the Indians' pitching.

Beckett has pitched 2 gems so far in this post season, let's hope he has another one in him for game 5. I definitely think the Sox can still win this thing. It will be very tough, but it's possible. I won't give up until the last out of the last game!

agree with you on some things and Beckett is undefeated, but I still think they way the Indians have played they will take it.

The difference maker for the ALCS is that the Indians are very aggresive and playing the way they've been playing all season: Very laid back and having fun

The Red Sox are up on the hype and need to get their act together or they'll be saying good bye to an American League Championship.

I predict that the Red Sox will win by a score of 4-1, or 4-2 and win the series in 7 games.

The biggest difference I have noticed, like you said is that the Indians are scoring early and getting the game to the bullpen. The bullpen has been pretty darn domniant here lately and will push them over the top on to playing Colorado. All in all I think it has been a great series so far.

Also don't count out Carmona and Westbrook if the Indians do lose tonight. Sabathia is far from their best pitcher.

A couple of low-lights-

Game 2- Francona was stupid and put Gagne in for Pap. If this didn't happen, the Sox probably would have won. Not to mention the Sox had a few chances to win it but blew it. I think it was Youk up in the bottom of the 9th with Manny on 2nd and he couldn't just hit the monster to drive in the winning run. Lucky.

Game 4- Wakefield lost it for an inning and the Indians got lucky. No one on base for the start of the 3 home run in a row rally either.

If these didn't happen, the Sox would be the ones who are up 3-1.

The difference is that the idiotic person who gave the team without home field advantage three straight home games and the team with home field advantage 2 games out of the first five games at home, so basically it's that the indians have home field advantage.

I think the Red Sox will win Game 5 behind Beckett, and then drop Game 6 in Boston. Hopefully the TV broadcast will include many shots of sad looking Red Sox fans.

Tribe takes it 5-2.

I can Boston winning Game 5 Send It home to Boston and winning Game 6 and 7.

I think the Indians in 5 or 6. Teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit and won but it isnt often. Sabbathia and Carmona didnt win 19 by accident, and the bullpen has been solid all year. When I checked the end of year standings, both clubs had 96 wins, and the Tribe did beat the hotter and better team in the ALDS. Cleveland is playing with more energy and determination, and our top 4 has been better than your top 4 over the last half of the year. Also to No 1 Red Sox fan...all 7 game series in the history of baseball has been 2-3-2...in fact it was that way when you guys came back to win 4 straight from the Yankees, so dont use it as an excuse when it was to your advantage 3 yrs ago. sometimes it just comes down to the hotter team...and that is Cleveland. All you have to do is look at the NL and see who is going from there. 4 weeks ago everyone wrote off the Rockies and they are going to be playing th winner of this series, so it just isnt momentum of a series..its the momentum built up over weeks or month involved also