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SEASON SERIES: Oakland won 4-3.
RED SOX REPORT: Boston has one of the most potent lineups in history. They finished with more extra-base hits and total bases than any team ever. They are the first team in modern history (post-1900) to have eight players with at least 80 RBIs. In a short series, though, pitching is a key and the Red Sox will roll out Pedro Martinez twice if the series goes at least four. Derek Lowe will pitch once, meaning if the series goes five, knuckleball specialist Tim Wakefield will start twice, including Game 5 on three days' rest. He pitched well down the stretch (2.01 ERA in September) and has had postseason success, but he was 0-2 this season against Oakland.
A'S REPORT: The Red Sox rely on offense, while the A's depend on pitching. The A's led the AL in ERA for the second consecutive season. Even without the injured Mark Mulder, the A's still have an impressive playoff trio of Barry Zito, Ted Lilly and Game 1 starter Tim Hudson. No team in the majors had a better home record (57-24), but Oakland is the only playoff team with a losing record on the road. The A's need to win both at home before heading to Fenway for Game 3 and (if necessary) Game 4. Offensively, the A's are led by shortstop Miguel Tejada, who hit .357 against the Red Sox this season.
REMEMBER ME?: If the Red Sox have a problem spot it's the bullpen. They will go with Byung-Hyun Kim in the closer's role. That's the same Kim who melted down time and again for Arizona against the Yankees in the 2001 World Series.
TOM JONES' PICK: A's in five.
MARC TOPKIN'S PICK: Red Sox in four.