2007 American League Division Series

File:2007 ALDS Logo.png

The 2007 American League Division Series (ALDS), the opening round of the 2007 American League playoffs, began on Wednesday, October 3 and ended on Monday, October 8. The 2007 AL Division Series consisted of three AL division champions and one wild card team, participating in two best-of-five series. They were:

• (1) Boston Red Sox (Eastern Division champions, 96-66) vs. (3) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Western Division champions, 94-68); Red Sox win series, 3-0.
• (2) Cleveland Indians (Central Division champions, 96-66) vs. (4) New York Yankees (Wild Card qualifier, 94-68); Indians win series, 3-1.

Although the Red Sox and Indians ended the regular season with the same record, the Red Sox received home-field advantage by virtue of winning the season series against Cleveland, 5 games to 2. The Red Sox also got to choose whether their series started on October 3 or October 4, the first time a team was given this choice. Although the team seeded first normally faces the wild card team, the Red Sox are in the same division as the wild card Yankees, so played Los Angeles instead.

The Red Sox and Angels met for the third time in the postseason, following the 1986 AL Championship Series and the 2004 ALDS, with Boston winning all three and extending their postseason victory streak over the Angels to nine consecutive games (the Angels haven't beaten the Red Sox in the playoffs since Game 4 of that 1986 ALCS). The Indians and Yankees met in the postseason for the third time with the Indians winning, following their triumph in the 1997 ALDS and the Yankees' win in the 1998 ALCS.

Managers:

• Terry Francona, Boston; Mike Scioscia, Los Angeles
• Eric Wedge, Cleveland; Joe Torre, New York

Umpires:

• Gary Darling, Dan Iassogna, Brian Runge, Ted Barrett, Tim Tschida, C. B. Bucknor (Red Sox-Angels)
• Bruce Froemming, Laz Díaz, Ron Kulpa, Fieldin Culbreth, Gerry Davis, Jim Wolf (Indians-Yankees)

Television:

Series	Network(s)	Play-by-play	Color Commentator(s)
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	TBS:HD	Ted Robinson	Steve Stone
Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees	TBS:HD	Chip Caray	Tony Gwynn & Bob Brenly

The winners of each division series advanced to play each other in the 2007 American League Championship Series.

Matchups

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

• Boston won series, 3-0

Game	Score	Date
1	Los Angeles Angels 0, Boston Red Sox 4	October 3
2	Los Angeles Angels 3, Boston Red Sox 6	October 5
3	Boston Red Sox 9, Los Angeles Angels 1	October 7

• TV: TBS and TBS HD. Announcers: Ted Robinson, Steve Stone and Jose Mota.

Rosters

2007 Boston Red Sox ALDS roster
Active (25-man) roster				Inactive (40-man) roster		Coaches/Other
Starting rotation 19 Josh Beckett 18 Daisuke Matsuzaka 38 Curt Schilling Bullpen 17 Manny Delcarmen 83 Eric Gagné 31 Jon Lester 48 Javier López 37 Hideki Okajima 58 Jonathan Papelbon (CL) 50 Mike Timlin † 15-day disabled list Roster updated 2007-10-02 Transactions • Depth Chart		Catchers 36 Kevin Cash 28 Doug Mirabelli 33 Jason Varitek Infielders 13 Alex Cora 12 Eric Hinske 25 Mike Lowell 23 Julio Lugo 15 Dustin Pedroia 20 Kevin Youkilis Outfielders 10 Coco Crisp  7 J. D. Drew 46 Jacoby Ellsbury 32 Bobby Kielty 24 Manny Ramírez Designated hitters 34 David Ortiz		Pitchers 54 Craig Breslow 61 Clay Buchholz 41 Bryan Corey -- Daniel Haigwood 43 Devern Hansack 56 Craig Hansen -- Kyle Jackson 74 Edgar Martínez 62 David Pauley 39 Kyle Snyder 51 Julián Tavárez 49 Tim Wakefield Catchers 72 George Kottaras Infielders 11 Royce Clayton Outfielders 44 Brandon Moss		Manager 47 Terry Francona Coaches 16 Luis Alicea (First Base) 52 John Farrell (Pitching) 35 DeMarlo Hale (Third Base) 29 Dave Magadan (Hitting)  2 Brad Mills (Bench) 57 Gary Tuck (Bullpen) 60-day disabled list 30 Matt Clement 53 Brendan Donnelly Suspended list Currently vacant

2007 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ALDS roster
Active (25-man) roster				Inactive (40-man) roster		Coaches/Other
Starting rotation 45 Kelvim Escobar 41 John Lackey 51 Joe Saunders 36 Jered Weaver Bullpen 58 Dustin Moseley 38 Darren Oliver 57 Francisco Rodríguez (CL) 54 Ervin Santana 62 Scot Shields 33 Justin Speier † 15-day disabled list Roster updated 2007-10-02 Transactions • Depth Chart		Catchers  5 Jeff Mathis 44 Mike Napoli Infielders 32 Erick Aybar 18 Orlando Cabrera  9 Chone Figgins  6 Maicer Izturis 47 Howie Kendrick 35 Casey Kotchman 22 Kendry Morales 39 Robb Quinlan Outfielders 16 Garret Anderson 27 Vladimir Guerrero 13 Nathan Haynes 20 Juan Rivera 77 Reggie Willits Designated hitters None designated		Pitchers 66 José Arredondo 49 Chris Bootcheck 52 Jason Bulger 40 Bartolo Colón 59 Marcus Gwyn 83 Steven Shell 63 Rich Thompson Catchers 48 Ryan Budde 45 Bobby Wilson Infielders 43 Matthew Brown 65 Tommy Murphy  3 Brandon Wood Outfielders 64 Terry Evans 25 Nick Gorneault 24 Gary Matthews, Jr.		Manager 14 Mike Scioscia Coaches 23 Mike Butcher (pitching) 21 Dino Ebel (third base)  4 Alfredo Griffin (first base)  7 Mickey Hatcher (hitting) 88 Orlando Mercado (bullpen) 10 Ron Roenicke (bench) 61 Steve Soliz (bullpen catcher) 60-day disabled list  8 Dallas McPherson 34 Chris Resop Suspended list None

Game 1, October 3

Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

In Game One, Boston starter Josh Beckett threw a complete game shut out, allowing the Red Sox to win the opener. After giving up a leadoff single to the game's first batter, Chone Figgins, Beckett proceeded to retire 19 straight Angels batters with just the second Angels hit coming off the bat of Vladimir Guerrero in the top of the 7th inning (Guerrero was stranded at first base after Beckett got the next two batters out). Beckett was backed by a solo home run from Kevin Youkilis in the bottom of the 1st inning, then a 2-run home run from David Ortiz in the 3rd inning, scoring Youkilis who had doubled to left field in the previous at bat. Beckett shut out the Angels, surrendering just 4 hits, walking none, and striking out 8 batters. Los Angeles starter John Lackey gave up 9 hits and 4 runs over 6 innings, settling down after the third inning, giving up a hit and a walk before exiting after the 6th inning. Ervin Santana relieved Lackey in the 7th inning and threw 2 perfect innings, but the Angels offense couldn't put any runs on the board, and they dropped the opener by a 4-0 score.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Boston	1	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	X	4	9	0
WP: Josh Beckett (1-0)   LP: John Lackey (0-1) Home runs: LAA: None BOS: Kevin Youkilis (1), David Ortiz (1)

Game 2, October 5

Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

Neither starting pitcher in Game 2 made it into the sixth inning of the contest. Game Two became a battle of the bullpens beginning with the Red Sox in the 5th inning with starter Daisuke Matsuzaka lasting just 4⅔ innings giving up 3 runs on 7 hits. Meanwhile, Angels starter Kelvim Escobar gave up 3 runs on just 4 hits and 5 walks. Scot Shields came on in relief of Escobar and pitched 2 hitless, scoreless innings, walking three batters, one intentionally. Boston's 4 relievers—López, Delcarmen, Okajima, and Papelbon—threw 4⅓ hitless, scoreless innings striking out 4 and only walking 2 batters (both by Papelbon). In the bottom of the 9th, after a Julio Lugo single, the Angels intentionally walked Ortiz giving him 4 walks on the night—tying a post-season record. The Red Sox won Game Two on a 3-run walk-off home run from Manny Ramírez off Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez. With the win, the Red Sox took a 2-0 series lead over Los Angeles.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	7	0
Boston	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	6	6	1
WP: Jonathan Papelbon (1-0)   LP: Justin Speier (0-1) Home runs: LAA: None BOS: Manny Ramírez (1)

Game 3, October 7

Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Boston	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	7	0	9	10	0
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	8	0
WP: Curt Schilling (1-0)   LP: Jered Weaver (0-1) Home runs: BOS: David Ortiz (2), Manny Ramírez (2) LAA: None

Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees

• Indians won series, 3-1

Game	Score	Date	Starting Pitchers
1	New York Yankees 3, Cleveland Indians 12	October 4	Chien-Ming Wang (0-1) vs. C.C. Sabathia (1-0)
2	New York Yankees 1, Cleveland Indians 2	October 5	Andy Pettitte (ND) vs. Fausto Carmona (ND)
3	Cleveland Indians 4, New York Yankees 8	October 7	Jake Westbrook (0-1) vs. Roger Clemens (ND)
4	Cleveland Indians 6, New York Yankees 4	October 8	Paul Byrd (1-0) vs. Chien-Ming Wang (0-2)

• TV: TBS and TBS HD. Announcers: Chip Caray, Bob Brenly, Tony Gwynn and Craig Sager.

Rosters

2007 Cleveland Indians ALDS roster
Active roster				Inactive roster		Coaches/Other
Starting rotation 36 Paul Byrd 55 Fausto Carmona 52 C. C. Sabathia 37 Jake Westbrook Bullpen 63 Rafael Betancourt 47 Joe Borowski (CL) 46 Aaron Fultz 32 Aaron Laffey 50 Jensen Lewis 40 Tom Mastny 53 Rafael Pérez † 15-day disabled list Roster updated October 4, 2007 Transactions • Depth chart		Catchers 41 Víctor Martínez 10 Kelly Shoppach Infielders 29 Josh Barfield  1 Casey Blake 13 Asdrúbal Cabrera 25 Ryan Garko 27 Chris Gomez  2 Jhonny Peralta Outfielders 38 Franklin Gutiérrez  7 Kenny Lofton  8 Jason Michaels 33 Trot Nixon 24 Grady Sizemore Designated hitters 48 Travis Hafner		Pitchers 44 Mike Koplove 58 Juan Lara 31 Cliff Lee 66 J. D. Martin 59 Matt Miller 49 Edward Mujica 54 Brian Slocum 45 Jeremy Sowers Infielders 68 Michael Aubrey 30 Andy Marté 11 Luis Rivas Outfielders 17 Shin-Soo Choo 20 David Dellucci 12 Ben Francisco 75 Brad Snyder †		Manager 22 Eric Wedge Coaches 28 Jeff Datz (bench)  4 Luis Isaac (bullpen) 60 Dennis Malavé (bullpen catcher)  6 Luis Rivera (first base/infield)  9 Derek Shelton (hitting) 35 Joel Skinner (third base) 43 Dan Williams (bullpen catcher) 51 Carl Willis (pitching) 60-day disabled list Currently vacant Suspended list Currently vacant

2007 New York Yankees ALDS roster
Active (25-man) roster				Inactive (40-man) roster		Coaches/Other
Starting rotation 35 Mike Mussina 46 Andy Pettitte 40 Chien-Ming Wang 65 Phil Hughes Bullpen 62 Joba Chamberlain 48 Kyle Farnsworth 60 Ross Ohlendorf 42 Mariano Rivera (CL) 41 Jose Veras 52 Luis Vizcaíno 47 Ron Villone † 15-day disabled list Roster updated 2007-10-03 Transactions • Depth Chart		Catchers 26 José Molina 20 Jorge Posada Infielders 14 Wilson Betemit 24 Robinson Canó  2 Derek Jeter 11 Doug Mientkiewicz 13 Alex Rodriguez Outfielders 53 Bobby Abreu 28 Melky Cabrera 18 Johnny Damon 17 Shelley Duncan 55 Hideki Matsui 64 Bronson Sardinha Designated hitters 25 Jason Giambi		Pitchers -- T.J. Beam -- Andrew Brackman 39 Chris Britton 33 Brian Bruney 19 Tyler Clippard 61 Matt DeSalvo 34 Sean Henn 29 Kei Igawa 58 Jeff Karstens 36 Ian Kennedy 31 Edwar Ramirez 47 Ron Villone 38 Chase Wright Infielders 63 Alberto Gonzalez 72 Juan Miranda		Manager  6 Joe Torre Coaches 50 Larry Bowa (third base) 49 Ron Guidry (pitching) 57 Joe Kerrigan (bullpen) 54 Kevin Long (hitting) 23 Don Mattingly (bench) 60 Rich Monteleone (special pitching instructor) 56 Tony Peña (first base) 59 Rob Thomson (field coordinator) 60-day disabled list 45 Carl Pavano 12 Andy Phillips 27 Darrell Rasner 77 Humberto Sánchez Suspended list Currently vacant

Game 1, October 4

Jacobs Field, Cleveland, Ohio

Before even throwing a pitch, Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang was given a 1-run lead thanks to Johnny Damon's repeat performance of Game 4 of the 2004 World Series—a leadoff home run to right field. Though initially ruled a foul ball, the 6 umpires conferred and corrected the call, awarding Damon with a 4-base hit. Cleveland Indians starter C.C. Sabathia struggled in his first inning of work, throwing 33 pitches and walking two, but was able to limit the damage to just the one run. The Indians got the run back in their half of the 1st on an RBI single from Ryan Garko, scoring Travis Hafner from second base. Kenny Lofton added to the Indians 1st inning lead slapping a single to center field, scoring Víctor Martínez and Garko. Cleveland's rookie second baseman Asdrúbal Cabrera blasted a solo home run right-center field to lead off the 3rd inning, but Yankees second baseman Robinson Canó responded to his Indians counterpart in the top of the 4th inning with a solo home run of his own, cutting the deficit to 2 runs. Pinch hitter Shelley Duncan, hitting in place of Doug Mientkiewicz, led off the top of the 5th inning with started with a single. After a walk to Damon, and a Jeter fly out, Bobby Abreu doubled in Duncan, cutting the Indians lead, 4-3. Sabathia would get out of the 5th without further damage by striking out Jorge Posada and getting Hideki Matsui to pop out to third, but that would be the end of his night as his pitch count reached 94 and he allowed an uncharacteristic 6 walks (1 intentionally). The Indians responded loudly in the bottom of the 5th, starting with a 2-run Víctor Martínez home run, a Jhonny Peralta double, and a Kenny Lofton RBI single before chasing Wang from the game after just 4⅔ innings. Yankee reliever Ross Ohlendorf took over for Wang and allowed a walk to Franklin Gutiérrez which loaded the bases, then gave up a 2-RBI double to Casey Blake. Designated Hitter Travis Hafner tacked on a solo home run for the Indians in the bottom of the 6th, which upped the Indians lead to 10-3 lead. But the Indians offensive attack didn't stop there as Martínez doubled to left, Garko was hit by a pitch, then after a Peralta groundout, Lofton hit an RBI double to right-center field, scoring Garko, and gave him a career-high 4 RBI on the night. Rafael Pérez came on in relief for the Indians and pitched 2 perfect innings, striking out 4 of the 6 hitters he faced. Garko would pad the Indians lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the 8th off Phil Hughes. Rafael Betancourt pitched a scoreless 9th for a final score of Cleveland 12, New York 3. The win marked Cleveland's first over the Yankees since 2006, snapping an eight game losing streak.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	3	5	0
Cleveland	3	0	1	0	5	2	0	1	X	12	14	0
WP: C.C. Sabathia (1-0)   LP: Chien-Ming Wang (0-1) Home runs: NYY: Johnny Damon (1), Robinson Canó (1) CLE: Asdrúbal Cabrera (1), Víctor Martínez (1), Travis Hafner (1), Ryan Garko (1)

Game 2, October 5

Jacobs Field, Cleveland, Ohio

The story leading into Game Two was the high anticipation of a pitchers duel, and it lived up to the hype. Fausto Carmona pitched 9 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits while Andy Pettitte went 6⅓ innings allowing no runs. In the 8th inning, midges swarmed the field with the Yankees leading 1-0 and pitcher Joba Chamberlain on the mound. The game was stopped a few times as players waved away the insects and applied bug spray. It didn't seem to work, as television cameras showed the insects covering Chamberlain's face and neck. In that inning, Grady Sizemore walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, to third on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a second wild pitch, tying the game 1-1. Carmona, too, was pestered by the bugs in the top of the 9th inning, allowing the go-ahead run, Bobby Abreu, to get into scoring position. However, Carmona persevered, striking out Alex Rodriguez to end the threat. Yankee closer Mariano Rivera pitched the 9th and 10th innings, holding the Indians scoreless, and Indians lefty Rafael Perez kept the Yankees off the board in the 10th and 11th innings. The Indians, who were only 2 for 18 with runners in scoring position, got a huge hit when it mattered most, and won in the bottom of the 11th on a full count, 2-out, bases-loaded single by Travis Hafner. Cleveland took a 2-0 series lead over New York.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	R	H	E
New York	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	0
Cleveland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	2	9	1
WP: Rafael Pérez (1-0)   LP: Luis Vizcaíno (0-1) Home runs: NYY: Melky Cabrera (1) CLE: None

Game 3, October 7

Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
Prior to Game 3, George Steinbrenner told reporters that manager Joe Torre would likely not return if the Yankees didn't win the ALDS. The Indians entered the game with a 2-0 lead in the series, starting ex-Yankee farmhand Jake Westbrook against future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens. Clemens had not started since Septmeber 16 due to a strained hamstring. Early on he proved to be ineffective, giving up single runs in each of the first three innings. During his third inning of work Clemens reaggravated his hamstirng forcing him from the game. Rookie Phil Hughes came on in relief, shutting out the Indians for 3 2/3 innings. Westbrook worked quickly early on, producing ground balls in rapid succession recording 11 of his first 12 outs via groundballs. The Yankees changed their approach against Westbrook during the fifth inning. Johnny Damon delivered a 3-run home run in the Yankees half of the 5th inning to cap a four run rally that put the Yanks ahead 5-2. New York would add three more runs in the sixth when Robinson Cano lined a bases loaded single to right field that Trot Nixon misplayed, allowing all three runners to score. The Yanks had seemingly answered The Boss's call and forced a game four. Hughes's victory made him the youngest Yankee to ever win a playoff game as he surpassed Hall of Famer Whitey Ford.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cleveland	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	4	9	1
New York	0	0	1	0	4	3	0	0	X	8	11	1
WP: Phil Hughes (1-0)   LP: Jake Westbrook (0-1) Home runs: CLE: Trot Nixon (1) NYY: Johnny Damon (2)

Game 4, October 8

Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
Yankees fail to force a Game 5 in Cleveland losing the ALDS to the Cleveland Indians in a 6-4 Game Four loss to mark seven years of no World Championship in New York. Chien Ming Wang got off to a terrible start by allowing Grady Sizemore to hit a leadoff homer and lasted only 1+ innings. Paul Byrd was solid through five innings, earning the win by keeping the Yankees from rallying. The Indians delivered the knockout punch against Mike Mussina in relief when Victor Martinez hit a two run single in the fourth. The Yankees chipped away at the lead with Alex Rodriguez hitting a solo homerun off of Rafael Pérez in the seventh and Bobby Abreu connecting against AL saves leader Joe Borowski in the ninth. But Borowski got A-Rod to fly put and Jorge Posada to strike out, nailing down the Indians' first postseason series win since 1998.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cleveland	2	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	6	13	0
New York	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	4	12	0
WP: Paul Byrd (1-0)   LP: Chien-Ming Wang (0-2)   Sv: Joe Borowski (1) Home runs: CLE: Grady Sizemore (1) NYY: Robinson Cano (2), Alex Rodriguez (1), Bobby Abreu (1)

Quotes

• "LEFT FIELD AND THE RED SOX ARE WINNERS! Manny Ramirez with an absolute rocket into the Boston night and the Red Sox lead the series 2 games to none!" - Ted Robinson, calling Manny Ramirez's game winning HR in the bottom of the 9th of Game 2
• "And this crowd will tell you the story. 3 and 2, bases loaded, tie game...INDIANS WIN!" - Chip Caray, calling Travis Hafner's walkoff single in the 11th of Game 2
• "Rob Quinlan pinch hitting pops up and that does it! The Red Sox sweep the Angels and they are in the American League Championship Series!" - Ted Robinson, calling the final out
• "AND THE GAME IS OVER! The Cleveland Indians have won the series in four games! 6 to 4 your final score! The Indians are headed to Fenway Park and an era ends, perhaps, in New York." - Chip Caray, calling Jorge Posada's series-ending strikeout

See also

• 2007 National League Division Series
• 2007 American League Championship Series