They’re not quite the Go-Go Sox, but. . .

BOSTON--These are not your father’s Boston Red Sox. Or your grandfather’s Red Sox. Or your great grandfather’s Red Sox, for that matter.

When it comes to running bases, Boston’s offense has always mirrored the city’s public transportation system, the T: station-to-station.

They prefer lumbering lugs who hit home runs. With that Green Monster in left field so close and inviting, why risk a guy getting thrown out at second and settling for a solo shot?

Then Dave Roberts swiped the biggest bag in franchise history, sparking Boston’s unprecedented comeback from a three-games-to-none deficit against the Yankees in the 2004 American League Championship Series, and a light went on over the Red Sox’s head.

A green light.

Much of the lead-up to the AL division series between the Angels and Red Sox, which opens tonight in Fenway Park, has focused on the Angels’ running game, and rightfully so.

They rank second in the league with 139 stolen bases and have gone first to third on singles 122 times, most in the major leagues. They pressure opponents with hit-and-run plays, and if there’s a runner on third with fewer than two outs, you can bet he’s going on contact.

But the Red Sox -- surprise -- are no longer just known for their power and patience and middle-of-the-order mashers David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.

While they haven’t drawn comparisons to the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals, they stole 96 bases in 120 attempts, an 80% success rate that was best in the league.

Shortstop Julio Lugo has 33 stolen bases, and center fielder Coco Crisp has 28 stolen bases, the first time the Red Sox have had two 25-base stealers since 1914, when Tris Speaker had 42 and Hal Janvrin had 29.

And Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that he’s carrying three catchers on his roster for the sole purpose of having enough depth so speedy reserve outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury “can run for just about anybody in a game-changing situation.” Ellsbury, a September call-up, stole nine bases in nine attempts.

“It certainly adds an element to their ability to bash the ball,” Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke said. “They can bunt, they can run. These guys have the speed to steal when they need to steal.”

The Red Sox don’t take many chances when Ortiz and Ramirez are batting, but with the speed of Crisp and Lugo at the bottom of the order, they’ve been able to manufacture more runs this season than they usually do.

And with starting pitching expected to be strong, a close, low-scoring game in this series could be determined by which team can manufacture a run or two.

Though the Angels have amassed more stolen bases than the Red Sox, they’ve been caught 55 times, a 71.6% success rate that is 11th in the league.

Angels catchers have been average to below average in throwing out runners. Mike Napoli has caught 13 of 62 would-be base stealers (21%), and catcher Jeff Mathis has thrown out eight of 48 runners (17%), though he also has picked off seven runners at first, which helps neutralize running games.

Opponents have stolen 13 of 19 bases off Game 1 starter John Lackey and 14 of 17 off Game 2 starter Kelvim Escobar.

“You don’t hear about Boston’s running game, you hear about them bashing the ball,” Napoli said. “But it’s something we will keep our eye on.”

The Angels don’t want to obsess about Boston’s running game though.

“We know they’re going to steal when they have the opportunity,” Roenicke said. “But if you worry so much about their baserunning, and the pitcher is trying to be quicker to home, he’s more apt to mistakes. And we can’t afford mistakes. It’s too good of a lineup to make mistakes against.”

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com