Boston, Cleveland Keys To Success

The Indians and Boston Red Sox tied for baseball's best record this season, each going 96-66 to win their respective divisions in the American League. Each manager played for the other team, both rosters have players who used to perform for the opposition, and each team knocked the other out of the playoffs in the 1990s. There's loads of history between the two charter members of the AL.

RED SOX KEYS

* Boston pitching coach John Farrell
He knows the Indians' young players better than anybody and can provide the Red Sox with valuable insight. Farrell served as the Indians' director of player development until leaving last winter.
* Maintain a lead from starters to Jon Papelbon
Boston's most lopsided edge appears to be at closer, where Papelbon is dominant. The Red Sox appear a bit shaky in middle and long relief. If the starters falter, the Red Sox could be in trouble if manager Terry Francona is forced to over-use his bullpen in front of his young closer.
* Utilize home-field advantage
Playing in Fenway Park can be nearly as intimidating to opponents as Yankee Stadium. Not only are the fans raucous, but the so-called "friendly" left-field wall plays mind games with pitchers who fear it and hitters who aim for it.

INDIANS KEYS

* Maintain fundamental play
The Red Sox have the edge offensively, so the Indians cannot afford to give Boston's powerful lineup "extra" outs by making blunders in the field. On offense, the Tribe has to push the envelope and try to manufacture runs in any situation rather than wait for a three-run homer that may never happen.
* Keep Manny from being Manny
Easier said than done. The Indians' organization couldn't keep Ramirez from being flaky off the field when he played in Cleveland. Now, the 2007 Tribe pitchers had better not let him go off offensively or the series could be over faster than Manny can make an illegal u-turn in downtown traffic.
* Give Joe-Bo some breathing room
Going to the ninth inning clinging to a one-run lead is not going to help the heart-rate of Indians fans with Cleveland closer Joe Borowski sporting a 5.07 ERA. But the right-hander walked his high-wire act to the tune of an AL-leading 45 saves, too. His game seems to be to alternate one hit, one walk and one out ... the key is for him to get to three outs before giving up three (or more) runs.

2007 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES TEAMS

BOSTON RED SOX
AL Pennant Playoff (0-1)
1948: Lost to Cleveland Indians, 8-3 (one-game series)
AL Division Series (4-3)
1995: Lost to Cleveland Indians, 3-0
1998: Lost to Cleveland Indians, 3-1
1999: Beat Cleveland Indians, 3-2
2003: Beat Oakland Athletics, 3-2
2004: Beat Anaheim Angels, 3-0
2005: Lost to Chicago White Sox, 3-0
2007: Beat Los Angeles Angels, 3-0
Overall: Won 13, Lost 13
AL Championship Series (3-4)
1975: Beat Oakland Athletics, 3-0
1986: Beat California Angels, 4-3
1988: Lost to Oakland Athletics, 4-0
1990: Lost to Oakland Athletics, 4-0
1999: Lost to New York Yankees, 4-1
2003: Lost to New York Yankees, 4-3
2004: Beat New York Yankees, 4-3
Overall: Won 15, Lost 22
World Series (6-4)
1903: Beat Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-3 (best-of-nine)
1912: Beat New York Giants, 4-3-1 (one game tied)
1915: Beat Philadelphia Phillies, 4-1
1916: Beat Brooklyn Dodgers, 4-1
1918: Beat Chicago Cubs, 4-2
1946: Lost to St. Louis Cardinals, 4-3
1967: Lost to St. Louis Cardinals, 4-3
1975: Lost to Cincinnati Reds, 4-3
1986: Lost to New York Mets, 4-3
2004: Beat St. Louis Cardinals, 4-0
Overall: 37-26-1

CLEVELAND INDIANS
AL Pennant Playoff (1-0)
1948: Beat Boston Red Sox, 8-3 (one-game series)
AL Division Series (3-3)
1995: Beat Boston Red Sox, 3-0
1996: Lost to Baltimore Orioles, 3-1
1997: Beat New York Yankees, 3-2
1998: Beat Boston Red Sox, 3-1
1999: Lost to Boston Red Sox, 3-2
2001: Lost to Seattle Mariners, 3-2
2007: Beat New York Yankees, 3-1
Overall: Won 17, Lost 13
AL Championship Series (2-1)
1995: Beat Seattle Mariners, 4-2
1997: Beat Baltimore Orioles, 4-2
1998: Lost to New York Yankees, 4-2
Overall: Won 10, Lost 8
World Series (2-3)
1920: Beat Brooklyn Dodgers, 5-2 (best-of-nine series)
1948: Beat Boston Braves, 4-2
1954: Lost to New York Giants, 4-0
1995: Lost to Atlanta Braves, 4-2
1997: Lost to Florida Marlins, 4-3
Overall: Won 14, Lost 16