Don't we already know how this movie ends? For the third consecutive year and fourth time in the last six, the Angels will face the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the playoffs. They have managed to win just one game in those previous three meetings, getting outscored 62-29 while losing nine of the 10 games. This time, they say, will be different -- or at least they hope so.
"It's a different year, man," right-hander John Lackey said. "They've got different people. We've got different people. Don't read too much into it.
"We're tired of answering these questions. You're probably tired of asking them. But until we win -- it's going to be there."
The Angels base their optimism this year on a lineup that manager Mike Scioscia calls his deepest since the 2002 championship team. The Angels set club records for runs scored (883) and batting average (.285) this season. They are the first team in baseball history to have 11 players drive in at least 50 runs.
"Hopefully it's going to be a lineup that will hit stride and perform well for the playoffs," Scioscia said. "I think we're much deeper than we've been entering any playoff situation before."
ANGELS 5, A'S 3: The Angels finished off the regular season with their 97th victory Sunday afternoon. LHP Joe Saunders went five innings for the victory. He went 7-0 with a 2.55 ERA in eight starts after coming off the DL in late August. Mike Napoli had a solo home run.
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