BOSTON — In two post-season meetings with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles of Anaheim Angels, the Red Sox have never lost.

If the Red Sox wish to make it three-for-three, here are 10 keys to winning the American League Division Series.

They must:

1) Get to starter John Lackey in Game One.

The Sox hit Lackey around in two Fenway starts (8.38 ERA) during the regular season. Two of his nine losses came at the hands of the Sox. If the Red Sox can beat him in Game One, it will give them a quick lead in the series and put doubts in the heads of the Angels should the series return to Fenway a fifth and deciding game.

2) Keep the Angels’ running game in check.

The Angels were second in stolen bases in the American League with 139 and can be counted on to run – early and often – against the Sox. Jason Varitek struggled throwing out runners during the season, so he’ll need some help from his pitchers keeping baserunners close.

The Sox don’t have to obsess with stopping the Angels on the basepaths. On the other hand, throwing out Chone Figgins or Reggie Willits early in the series could limit the Angels’ aggressiveness.

3) Hold the lead in the seventh and eighth innings.

If the Sox had a weakness in the final month, it was the setup relief of Hideki Okajima and Eric Gagne. Okajima was shutdown for 12 days to rebuild arm strength and returned with better stuff in the final four days. Gagne, however, has yet to demonstrate that he can be counted on for clean innings in close games. Should Gagne continue to struggle, the Sox might want to entrust Manny Delcarmen, who was nearly unhittable in the final two months, with the role.

4) Be unafraid to lean heavily on closer Jonathan Papelbon.

The Sox were wisely careful not to overuse Papelbon during the six-month grind, pointing out that they were preserving him for October. Now that October is here, Papelbon is strong, rested and ready. Even better for the Sox and Papelbon, the new Division Series schedule features a day off between Games One and Two and an additional day off between Games Four and Five. In theory, then, Papelbon can pitch in every one of the five games and still only be used on back-to-back days once.

5) Make the routine plays in the field.

In a five-game series, one small error can lead to big trouble. Need proof? The last time the Sox were in the post-season, an error by Tony Graffanino turned their ALDS matchup with the White Sox around in a heartbeat. The Sox’ defense is strong at every position except left field and short. If they get spectacular plays from Mike Lowell or Coco Crisp, great; the important thing is to not give the Angels extra outs.

6) Limit Daisuke Matsuzaka’s exposure.

The Sox have chosen Matsuzaka to pitch Game Two, which means he’ll also be their starter if the series goes the full five games. Game Five will come with regular — i.e., four days’ — rest, meaning that the Sox can’t allow Matsuzaka to throw 120-something pitches in Game Two Friday night.

The Angels’ lack of patience at the plate — they finished eighth in the league in walks — might help keep Matsuzaka’s pitch count down. And even with a 10-man staff, the Sox have a six-man bullpen. If he gets in trouble, the leash should be a short one.

7) Have Manny be Manny

At times during the regular season, the lineup sputtered. The Sox stranded too many runners and failed too often when it came to situational hitting.

The return of Ramirez after nearly a month (oblique strain) deepens the lineup and pushes J.D. Drew and Jason Varitek deeper into the batting order, where the responsibility is lessened.

Ramirez might not be 100 percent yet, but he needn’t be — his mere presence changes the look (and production) of the offense.

8) Make sure that Vladimir Guerrero doesn’t beat them.

Admittedly, that’s easier said than done, since Guerrero has great plate coverage and is capable of driving almost any pitch. But Guerrero is the one bat in the Angels lineup capable of doing major damage. Gary Matthews Jr. isn’t completely healthy, and despite a strong final two months, Garret Anderson isn’t the hitter he was when these teams last met in the postseason.

9) Make Francisco Rodriguez throw strikes.

Rodriguez is one of the game’s best closers, but his violent delivery means he can have sometimes have difficulty commanding his pitches (see: 2007 All-Star game). Rodriguez is tough enough; there’s no need for the Red Sox to help him out by swinging at pitches out of the strike zone.

10) Take advantage of Fenway.

Opposing players have said that Fenway is one of the toughest places to play, never more so than in October. The only series the Angels won head-to-head in three meetings with the Red Sox this season came in Anaheim.

The Sox worked six months to post the best record in baseball — they should make it worth their while.

smcadam@projo.com