ALDS: Angels find a way to stay

That was a heck of a way to break a playoff losing streak.

The Los Angeles Angels are still kicking in their series against the Red Sox, winning 5-4 in a 12-inning game that ended Monday morning in Boston.

Angels catcher Mike Napoli hit two homers, and ESPN's Buster Olney points out that he's the sixth catcher ever to have a multi-homer game in the playoffs, joining the White Sox's A.J. Pierzynski (2005), the Mets' Gary Carter (1986), the Reds' Johnny Bench (1976), the A's Gene Tenace (1972) and the Yankees' Yogi Berra (1956).

Notice something else about that list? All of those teams won the World Series.

The Angels have a long way to go for that, and have to win the next two to even think about it. They finally received some production from the bottom of the order, as shortstop Erick Aybar came through with the clutch single in the 12th.

The Angels will send John Lackey to the mound tonight. He pitched well in Game 1 before giving up a homer to Jason Bay in the sixth inning. The Red Sox will counter with Jon Lester, who pitched like the team's ace in the first game. That's almost a must for Boston down the road, because the injured Josh Beckett didn't look like himself on Sunday night.

In Chicago in Game 4, the Rays will again try to close out the White Sox this afternoon/evening, sending Andy Sonnanstine against Chicago's Gavin Floyd. I have a feeling this series is going five.

And the NLCS is set, a rematch of the 1983 NLCS between the Phillies and Dodgers. Twenty-five years ago, the Phillies won the best-of-five series in four games, and the MVP was Gary Matthews. Matthews' son, Gary Matthews Jr., now is a part-time outfielder for the Angels.