There's only one October...

...per year. There's also only one April, but who's counting anyways?

But this really is the most exciting time of the year. There are only eight teams left and they've all played 162 games (at least), but they all could be going home after just three more. Sometimes the playoffs can just crush you so fast (remember when the Red Sox fell behind the A's by two in less than 48 hours in 2003?), but they can also give you so much joy (2004).

Heading into this Red Sox/Angels series I have to say, I'm not liking the way the Sox stack up. This time, the Beantown boys are the ones that are banged up like the Angels were last year. Josh Beckett's health is a major concern. So is J.D. Drew's and Mike Lowell's.

The Los Angeles/Aneheim/California Angels have the more consistent pitching staff and probably the better bullpen. The Angels have the big boppers they've lacked in the past (Torii Hunter and Mark Texiera) and they have that blazing speed and tremendous fielding ability once again.

On paper, the Angels have to be big-time favorites here. And I'm going with the paper this time, so my prediction is Angels in four.

I just think the Sox will split the two games in LA/Anaheim, then return home and put the series on Beckett's shoulders. He will not be able to come through this year because he's hurt, and the Sox will be up against the ropes. Smelling blood, the Angels will actually be able to close out a series for the first time in recent memory.

NOTE: In 2006, I picked the Yankees, Twins, Dodgers and Padres to win their respective series. Then I picked the A's and Mets to meet in the World Series. Finally I picked the Detroit Tigers to take the crown when they played the Cardinals in the Series. If you're keeping score at home, that's an 0-7 record. Hopefully I have that kind of luck this year.

Other series predictions - Phillies in 3, Dodgers in 5, Rays in 4.