Why Are The Red Sox On The Brink Of Elimination

One word: Hitting.  Most people will try to blame it on the Angels finally getting the Sox's "number", but even if they do, you can't win if you don't hit.

         In the regular season, the Red Sox combined to hit .270/.352/.454, good for second in the AL with a .806 OPS.  But in the first two games of the playoffs they've plummeted to a hitting line of .131/.182/.180.  That just won't cut it if they are going to beat the Angels, who held opponents to a .242 AVG this year.

         Normally I'd be confident about the Red Sox's chances going back to Fenway for Games 3 and 4, but Clay Bucholz and Daisuke Matsuzaka don't inspire confidence.  If I was an Angels fan, I'd be very, very happy with the situation.

         If the Sox can't rely on their pitching, then once again, they must hit.  Facing left-hander Scott Kazmir, their bats must come to life, or the postseason will continue without the BoSox.