Red Sox

After Theo Epstein declared that Victor Martinez was the No. 1 catcher, Jason Varitek knows he will be a back-up.

But at $3-million, it's not a bad gig.

The Boston Red Sox made four moves official today:

1. Picking up catcher Victor Martinez's 2010 option for $7.1-million

What happened to the Los Angeles Angels team that swept the Red Sox in the divisional series? Their defense makes key errors. Their closer can't hold a lead, and the clutch hits are few.

The better team won this series. After the Angels took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-5 ALDS series, it is not surprising that they advanced to the ALCS.

Josh Beckett may have wilted in the seventh inning but, really, is anyone going to blame the pitching for the 0-2 deficit the Red Sox now face in their ALDS against the Angels.

Josh Beckett is used to pitching in big games; Jered Weaver is not. That is the biggest hope for the Boston Red Sox tonight in Anaheim.

Everyone wants to hear a prediction. I'm not a big fan of them. I want to look at facts, compare match-ups, go over scenarios.

Headline on the Minnesota Twins website: "Twins to be tested in first round of playoffs"

You think?

When the Red Sox announced their starting rotation for the ALDS, they announced only three pitchers - Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz (in that order).

What about Game 4?

When I began work on the Sunday column ( in www.pressherald.com/sports ) earlier in the week, I assumed the Tigers would be the fourth AL team in the playoffs.

Oops.