They can, at least, go through the 2010 schedule and say they had a winning record against the World Series champs, as the Sox went 2-1 against the Giants.
Granted, it was only a three-game series, and granted, the Sox lost Dustin Pedroia, Clay Buchholz and Victor Martinez in that three-game span, but still — wins are wins.
The Sox can also be happy that their ace, Jon Lester, outdueled Tim Lincecum in the rubber match. Lincecum, of course, pitched eight brilliant innings in the World Series clincher on Monday night, and he went 4-1 with a 2.43 ERA in six appearances this postseason.
While the sample size was small, the Red Sox are one of just four teams to post a winning record against the Giants this season (the Padres were kings of that competition, winning 12 of 18 contests).
Here's a look at how the Red Sox have fared against World Series winners since Terry Francona took over the team in 2004:
2010: Red Sox went 2-1 against the Giants.
2009: Red Sox went 9-9 against the Yankees.
2008: Red Sox went 2-1 against the Phillies.
2007: Red Sox won the World Series.
2006: Red Sox did not play the Cardinals, but they did go 3-3 against the AL champion Tigers.
2005: Red Sox went 4-3 against the White Sox in the regular season but got swept in the ALDS.
2004: Red Sox won the World Series.
