ALCS: BOSTON OR TAMPA? TAKE YOUR PICK

With the Red Sox barely holding on to their 3 game lead in the AL Wild Card, I began to think about if the time should come when the Yankees are in the ALCS, who I would rather see them face.

REASONS TO WANT TAMPA BAY:

1. BULLPEN: Besides our old friend Kyle Farnsworth, not one pitcher in the Rays Bullpen has an ERA below 3.00 (the lowest being Joel Peralta's 3.19.) I wouldn't even necasserily bank on Farnsworth with his history of giving up big hits.

2. ROTATION: I know this sounds crazy, but the back end of the rotation is very young and inexperienced. James Shields, or "Big Game James" is known for coming up big when he is needed. David Price on the other hand lost both starts against Texas in last years ALDS. That is the most playoff experience the Rays pitching staff has.

REASONS TO WANT BOSTON:

1. BULLPEN: Aside from Jonathan Paplebon, who has been consistent in the Red Sox bullpen this year? Over the past month, Daniel Bard has had an ERA of 5.73. The only other Red Sox reliever who has been consistently good is Alfredo Aceves, who has won 9 games for Boston this season and has an ERA of 1.69 over the past month.

2. ROTATION: With Becketts health being a question mark, the Red Sox will likely have to rely more heavily on Erik Bedard and John Lackey. Lackey has been very disappointing for Boston this season, posting an ERA of 6.30. The only reason he is 12-12 is that Boston scores about 8 runs for him on average.

If I had to pick, I would choose Boston. Not only would it be exciting, but Boston has more holes to fill than Tampa.