Red Sox-Angels ALDS Likely To Start Thursday

Get ready for some late nights.

Later this week, the Red Sox and Angels will face off in the best-of-five American League division series for the third year in a row, with a spot in the ALCS on the line. By virtue of the best record in the AL, the Yankees have first shot at choosing a schedule, and are expected to choose the eight-day ALDS scenario for their series against either the Tigers or Twins (who still need to play a one-game playoff game on Tuesday for the AL Central crown). The Yankees have until one hour after that game to make their decision, but the longer schedule allows the Yankees to go with only three starters for the first round.

That leaves the Red Sox and Angels with a seven-day schedule that should go as follows:

Game 1: Oct. 8, 9:37 p.m. ET

Game 2: Oct. 9, 9:37 p.m. ET

Game 3: Oct. 11, TBA

Game 4: Oct. 12 (if necessary, TBA)

Game 5: Oct. 14 (if necessary, TBA)

All games can be seen on TBS. Of course, since the Yankees have yet to make their decision official, all times and dates are subject to change.

The Red Sox plan on using Jon Lester in Game 1, Josh Beckett in Game 2, and Clay Buchholz in Game 3. Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to take the ball if there is a Game 4 against the Angels, who have never won a postseason series vs. Boston, and have won just one of their last 13 playoff games vs. Boston.