Boston has dominated angels since Days of Donnie Moore in the post season. Tables turned from last season when Anaheim was the banged up club going into September. Remember Anderson injured? And the pink eye ordeal.
Boston is in bad shape coming into this series, nowhere near the team of last season or the season prior. Drew hasn't played in close to 6 weeks, Lowell (although a extremely tough guy, and cancer survivor) is injured severely. Twice if in the last week he left the field after simply swinging at a pitch. He says he thinks he can swing, but running & throwing he is in significant pain. Look for Figgins to bunt Lowell s way, and Lowell to be injured, I'm sure they will test him early, this is playoff baseball.
Lester has been a stud this season, another cancer survivor. Hasn't fared quite as well on road recently, as at Toronto he has been very shaky last 2 Rd. starts. In one start against angels this season he lasted 5 innings gave up 4 runs on 10 hits, 2 homers, 1 strikeout 2 walks. Terrible outing Era almost 8.
Bullpen for Boston is much weaker than previous seasons. Oakie has never returned from last years success. Paplebon has really struggled with command of his 2 & 3 pitches (slider & split). This has resulted in him throwing 90% fastball s, because of this, he has been hit. Bigger problem is even getting to him. Where Anaheim has experienced setup arms like shields. Boston will be counting on 22 year old rookie masterson to get them to the 9th.
Another thing Sox fans don't want to admit is missing Manny will offset production substantially. Like him or despise him, he produces, and really produces post season. This will have trickle effects on Ortiz etc..
Lastly the Beckett injury is a huge deal. Whoever says it doesn't, is crazy, Beckett almost singly delivered a championship last season. His injury and potential absence would be catastrophic in Boston hopes.
I said 2 days ago Anaheim -120 for the series was stealing. Like them tonight with lackey also.
Good luck
Shamrock
Boston is in bad shape coming into this series, nowhere near the team of last season or the season prior. Drew hasn't played in close to 6 weeks, Lowell (although a extremely tough guy, and cancer survivor) is injured severely. Twice if in the last week he left the field after simply swinging at a pitch. He says he thinks he can swing, but running & throwing he is in significant pain. Look for Figgins to bunt Lowell s way, and Lowell to be injured, I'm sure they will test him early, this is playoff baseball.
Lester has been a stud this season, another cancer survivor. Hasn't fared quite as well on road recently, as at Toronto he has been very shaky last 2 Rd. starts. In one start against angels this season he lasted 5 innings gave up 4 runs on 10 hits, 2 homers, 1 strikeout 2 walks. Terrible outing Era almost 8.
Bullpen for Boston is much weaker than previous seasons. Oakie has never returned from last years success. Paplebon has really struggled with command of his 2 & 3 pitches (slider & split). This has resulted in him throwing 90% fastball s, because of this, he has been hit. Bigger problem is even getting to him. Where Anaheim has experienced setup arms like shields. Boston will be counting on 22 year old rookie masterson to get them to the 9th.
Another thing Sox fans don't want to admit is missing Manny will offset production substantially. Like him or despise him, he produces, and really produces post season. This will have trickle effects on Ortiz etc..
Lastly the Beckett injury is a huge deal. Whoever says it doesn't, is crazy, Beckett almost singly delivered a championship last season. His injury and potential absence would be catastrophic in Boston hopes.
I said 2 days ago Anaheim -120 for the series was stealing. Like them tonight with lackey also.
Good luck
Shamrock
