Nick Cafardo's Sox-Rays ALCS matchups breakdown

Bullpens If Troy Percival, who was injured and ineffective in September, is left off the roster, the Rays will stick with their bullpen by committee, a strategy that has definitely worked. The Rays' bullpen allowed just one run over 11 1/3innings in the ALDS, with lefty J.P. Howell (a 12.15 career ERA at Fenway in five games) and righty Grant Balfour (two earned runs in 10 1/3 innings vs. Red Sox this season) nothing short of sensational. Dan Wheeler (pictured) has taken over the closer's role, but the Rays only used him once against the White Sox because Howell and Balfour were so effective.

Bullpens

If Troy Percival, who was injured and ineffective in September, is left off the roster, the Rays will stick with their bullpen by committee, a strategy that has definitely worked. The Rays' bullpen allowed just one run over 11 1/3innings in the ALDS, with lefty J.P. Howell (a 12.15 career ERA at Fenway in five games) and righty Grant Balfour (two earned runs in 10 1/3 innings vs. Red Sox this season) nothing short of sensational. Dan Wheeler (pictured) has taken over the closer's role, but the Rays only used him once against the White Sox because Howell and Balfour were so effective.
(Getty Images Photo / Doug Benc)