It's Red Sox vs. Rays, Phillies vs. Dodgers for World Series Berths

Players of the Day from Monday, October 6, 2008 Boston 3 LA Angels 2 The Boston Red Sox turned to a rookie and a newcomer to oust the LA Angels and advance to the ALCS. Jed Lowrie - who played just 81 games for the Red Sox in his initial season - drove home Jason Bay - acquired from Pittsburgh mid-season - with the winning run in the bottom of the 9th to topping the Angels, 3-2, to win the series, 3 games to 1. Starters John Lackey and Jon Lester each pitched 7 strong innings, but Lester was better, shutting out the Angels while Lackey allowed a pair of Boston runs. The Angels tied the game in the 8th on Torii Hunter's two-run single in the 8th, but it proved to be too little, too late, as the Red Sox topped the Angels for the 12th time in their last 13 playoff meetings. The wild card Red Sox will face Tampa Bay, winners of the AL East. Tampa Bay 6 Chicago White Sox 2 B.J. Upton's solo homers in the 1st and 3rd innings gave the Tampa Bay Rays an early lead and Andy Sonnanstine and a pair of relievers made it hold up as the Rays took down the White Sox, 6-2, to advance to the AL Championship Series, 3 games to 1. Following Upton's blasts, the Rays added two runs in the 4th and single runs in the 5th and 7th. They also had an opportunity to stretch their legs. Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford each stole two bases off A.J. Pierzynski, prepping for their upcoming showdown with the Red Sox. Notes: The AL Championship Series begins Friday in Tampa at 8:30 pm ET. The series is in a 2-3-2 format in which the Rays have home field advantage. The NLCS begins Thursday in Philadelphia, with the Phillies hosting the LA Dodgers in the best-of-seven series.