One of the problems for the Angels in recent postseason series has been the inability of the lineup to score runs against quality pitching. The Angels managed just 13 runs in a four-game ALDS loss to the Sox last October; the year before, when they were swept by the Sox , the Angels scored a mere four runs.

The Angels went into last night's game second in the majors in runs scored, while leading in batting average and batting average with runners in scoring position.

``It has the potential to rival anything we did in '02 (when the Angels won their only World Series),'' manager Mike Scioscia said of his team's offensive attack. ``I think it's our deepest lineup since '02.''

Scioscia is similarly bullish on the rotation, which he termed ``the deepest it's been at any point since I've been here,'' citing the presence of John Lackey, Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and recently acquired Scott Kazmir.

Los Angeles is 4-3 against the Sox this season following last night's 4-1 loss, but its recent postseason history is another matter. This decade alone, the Sox have beaten the Angels in three first-round matchups, winning 9-of-10 games.

``We can't do anything different (in this series),'' center fielder Torii Hunter said when asked if the Angels needed to make a statement to the Red Sox this week. ``We're just trying to win. Every game is important because Texas is breathing down our necks (in the AL West).''

- smcadam@bostonherald.com