Red Sox and Angels ALDS Betting Preview

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Red Sox and Angels ALDS Betting Preview

As if the postseason isn?t enough motivation, the Los Angeles Angels have a score to settle. The Angels had the second best record in the American League and that accomplishment means nothings to oddsmakers. The Halos are underdogs to Boston, since in the last five years; they have one win in 10 meetings with the Red Sox in the postseason. This can?t even be described as a rivalry since the outcomes have been so one-sided.

How will this year be any different than the last three times? Los Angeles feels better equipped offensively this time around. Only the Yankees scored more runs than the Angels in baseball this season. The 5.5 runs per game and boost in power (183 home runs) gives them the belief they are less likely to be stymied like in the past, since they have averaged 2.9 runs per game in last 10 postseason conflicts.

The Angels also believe their starting pitching is every bit as good as Boston?s, maybe better. John Lackey and Jered Weaver have experience and generally pitch well at home. When they travel to Boston, Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders will try and make life tough on Red Sox hitters, as both are throwing extremely well of late.

In theory that all sound terrific, one problem, the Angels bullpen. Though Los Angeles has a higher save percentage than Boston (73 to 69 percent), nobody is going to take the Halos pen over the BoSox. Closer Brian Fuentes just recently went under four (3.93) for his ERA for the first time this season. The Angels are 11th in bullpen ERA compared to Boston?s second place finish in the American League. According to ESPN senior editor Dave Schoenfield, only three teams since 1969 have won the World Series with a closer who had ERA greater than three.

Boston has John Papelbon (1.85 ERA) as its closer and teams that have inferior closer, but better overall record are 26-28 in the division series. The lower scoring team is 32-22 in this round and the club with the better bullpen ERA wins 58.9 percent of the time (33-23) in divisional series.

Total the numbers and you can see why the Angels are underdogs in the ALDS. For Los Angeles to win they have to score runs and HOPE the bullpen can shutdown Boston bats. If the Red Sox starters once again limit L.A. in the run column, it will be like watching the TV Land; you?ve seen this show before.


Offensive ? American League
Runs scored Boston 3rd Angels 2nd
Home Runs Boston 3rd Angels 8th
Slugging Ptc. Boston 2nd Angels 4th
Walks Boston 2nd Angels 7th
On base Ptc. Boston 2nd Angels 3rd

Pitching & Defense
ERA Boston 7th Angels 9th
Bullpen ERA Boston 2nd Angels 11th
Strikeouts Boston 2nd Angels 9th
Walks Boston 6th Angels 5th
On base Ptc. Boston 8th Angels 10th
Putouts Boston 8th Angels 5th
Errors Boston 3rd Angels 4th

Key Numbers- Los Angeles won the season series 5-4, including 4-2 at the Big A. The tone of the series is likely to be set in the series opener. John Lackey is living off history as big game pitcher, having last won in his rookie season of 2002, pitching in the postseason. Lester allowed one run in 14 innings last October against the Halos and the lefty and teammates are 35-12 in the second half of the season over the last two seasons. Though several factors are in the Red Sox favor, they are desultory 3-15 in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season.

Sportsbook.com Series Odds: Red Sox -135, Angels +115

 

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Halo of a Matchup

Halo of a Matchup

Halo of a Matchup


The Red Sox have struggled down the stretch, but perhaps the best cure for their latest stumbles may be the Los Angeles Angels. Boston has eliminated L.A. each of the last two postseasons, while sweeping the Halos en route to their World Series title in 2004.

This is the only confirmed matchup in the postseason heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The AL Central title is still up for grabs, as the Tigers own a one-game lead over the Twins with two games to go. In the National League, all four playoff spots are spoken for, but the NL West champion is yet to be determined. The Dodgers need one win this weekend over the Rockies to wrap up the division, but Colorado will surely be a team to be reckoned with in October.

Back to the Sox and Angels, as L.A. claimed five of the nine regular season meetings. Six of those games were decided by one run, while the Halos went 4-2 in the six games in Anaheim. The final three matchups came in September at Fenway Park, as the Sox took two of three games. The one game that stuck out in the series was on September 16, when the Sox rallied for two runs off Angels' closer Brian Fuentes in the ninth inning. There was a bit of controversy revolving around the 9-8 loss, as home plate umpire Rick Reed was criticized for shrinking the strike zone on Fuentes.

The Angels did fare well against Boston ace Josh Beckett this season, beating the Red Sox twice in the righty's starts. Beckett allowed seven earned runs in 14 IP, but the 16-game winner tossed eight innings in a 4-3 loss on September 17. The Angels scored a ninth-inning run off Billy Wagner to break a 3-3 tie, giving Beckett a no-decision. Los Angeles is 5-0 against Beckett in his last five starts dating back to 2008. However, Beckett did throw a complete-game shutout against the Halos in the first round of the playoffs in 2007.

The Angels won all four starts made by Joe Saunders against the Red Sox last season, but the Halos lost both outings by the southpaw this season. Neither start was a quality one, however, both games were decided by one run, as Saunders started the disputed 9-8 loss. Saunders has been one of the better 'over' pitchers in baseball this season, with the Angels nailing the 'over' in 20 of his 30 starts, including 10 of 14 on the road.

If there is one pitcher that does not want to see the Red Sox, it's John Lackey. The Angels are 2-6 in Lackey's last eight starts versus Boston, including five losses at Fenway. The righty pitched well the last time he saw the Sox in September, allowing three runs (two earned) and eight hits in 7.2 innings pitched. Only problem is Daisuke Matsuzaka tossed six scoreless innings to beat Lackey and the Angels, 4-1.

The Sox went 10-1 from September 8-20, but are 3-8 over the last eleven games. In fact, Terry Francona's team celebrated the clinching of the Wild Card following a loss to Toronto, thanks to the Rangers falling to the Angels. Mike Scioscia's club has done very little travelling the last ten days, playing their last ten games at home. The Angels wrap up the regular season this weekend in Oakland against the A's, before heading back home to host the Sox next week.

 

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MLB playoffs: Red Sox-Angels series breakdown and pick

MLB playoffs: Red Sox-Angels series breakdown and pick

MLB playoffs: Red Sox-Angels series breakdown and pick

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels

Series odds: Boston -150

Pitching

Los Angeles has a slight edge when it comes to starting pitching. John Lackey has an ERA under 3.00 since the All-Star break and has been effective against the Red Sox this season, while Scott Kazmir has been excellent since being acquired from the Rays last month. Jered Weaver and Joe Saunders round out the rotation.

For Boston, Josh Beckett is known as a playoff stud, but he's struggled in the second half. Jon Lester is probably the most reliable Red Sox starter right now, having lost only once in the past two months. What Boston will get from Daisuke Matsuzaka, Clay Buchholz or Tim Wakefield is anyone's guess.

Starting pitching gets most of the attention, but this series might be won or lost in the bullpens. Boston ranks seventh in the Majors this year in bullpen ERA, while the Angels' relief corps is ranked 24th. Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon is much more reliable than the Angels' Brian Fuentes.

Edge: Los Angeles

Offense

Both teams have the potential to put up runs in bunches, though they do it in different ways. Los Angeles has the highest team batting average in baseball and all of its regulars are hitting .270 or better. Torii Hunter, Kendry Morales, Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu have all driven in more than 80 runs. The Angels are also known for running the bases aggressively, ranking third in stolen bases.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox rely more on the long ball, having hit the third-most home runs in the Majors this season. Leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury led the Bigs in steals this year and, along with defending AL MVP Dustin Pedroia, sets the table for RBI men Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and Victor Martinez. David Ortiz has been a forgotten man after his awful start to the year, but he still came close to 30 homers and 100 RBI this season.

Edge: Boston

Intangibles

Though the Angels have handled the Red Sox fairly well this season, they probably aren't happy to draw Boston in the opening round. The Red Sox have eliminated Los Angeles from the playoffs three times in the past five years, including last season when the Angels had the league's best regular-season record.

Boston's players seem to thrive under the postseason pressure, winning two of the past five World Series, while Los Angeles has developed a reputation as a good regular-season team that folds in the playoffs. Exhibit A is Angels outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, who has one RBI in his past 17 playoff games.

Though Los Angeles has home-field advantage, the Angels will be in tough if they lose one of the first two games and need at least one victory in Fenway Park to extend the series.

Pick: Boston in four games :mj07: :mj07: :nono:

 

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ALDS Preview - Boston Red Sox vs. LA Angels of Anaheim



BOSTON RED SOX: AL Wild Card (95-67)


LA ANGELS OF ANAHEIM: AL West Champion (97-65)

The Boston Red Sox hope to continue their postseason mastery of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim when the two begin their best-of- five American League Division Series on Thursday at Angel Stadium.

Boston, the AL's Wild Card winner with a 95-67 mark, defeated the Angels in four games in last year's ALDS after sweeping them in the same round back in 2007. That whitewash followed up another sweep by the Red Sox, who disposed of the Halos in three games back in 2004 en route to their first championship since 1918.

These teams also met up in 1986 when Boston rallied back from a three games to one deficit to win a dramatic seventh game, meaning, of course, that the Red Sox have now won 12 of their last 13 postseason games against the Angels.

Los Angeles, though, won the regular season series, 5-4, after taking eight of the nine matchups a year ago.

Boston enters the postseason for the sixth time in the last seven years, but comes in with some injury concerns regarding ace Josh Beckett (back), third baseman Mike Lowell (thumb) and shortstop Alex Gonzalez (hand).

Los Angeles, meanwhile, was challenged for a change in the AL West this season, as it overcame numerous injuries and a tragic death to one of its young stars to win its fifth division title in six years with a 97-65 record.

Things looked bleak early, as John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, Jered Weaver, And Ervin Santana all started the season on the disabled list. Add in the tragic death of Nick Adenhart in early April, and you had all the makings for what could have been a disastrous season for the Angels.

Mike Scioscia, though, is the best manager in the game and he proved it again this year, as he had 14 different people start games for him this year. They also handed the ball to 12 players making their major league debut, both of which were major league highs.


LINEUP

Boston's already potent lineup got a huge boost at the trade deadline with the acquisition of catcher Victor Martinez from the Cleveland Indians.

Martinez joins a lineup that already consists of the dangerous Kevin Youkilis, reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia, Jason Bay, as well as David Ortiz, who despite a horrendous start still finished with decent power numbers.

Ortiz had just one home run through the first two-plus months of the season and found himself embroiled in a steroid scandal, but still finished the year with 28 homers and 99 RBI. He is not the feared hitter he once was, but I wouldn't want to face him in a big spot

Bay is now the offensive catalyst of this team and, despite a long slump, still hit 36 home runs with 119 RBI and 103 runs scored, second only to Pedroia' 115. Bay was the star of last year's ALDS, hitting .412 with two homers and five RBI.

The Red Sox can also beat you on the bases with Jacoby Ellsbury, who swiped a league-high 70 stolen bases this season, in addition to hitting .301

Speaking of stolen bases, the Angels finished third in the AL with 148 of them this season, led by Chone Figgins (42), Bobby Abreu (30) and Torii Hunter (18). You have to think that trend will continue if Jason Varitek is behind the plate for the Red Sox.

Don't be fooled by all the running, though, the Angels possess a very potent offense. Anaheim led the league in batting average (.285), was second in runs (883), tied for the lead in hits (1,604), was third in on-base percentage (.350), and was fourth in slugging (.441).

With players like Vladimir Guerrero, Hunter and Abreu getting most of the attention. Kendry Morales is often overlooked , but the Angels' first baseman was the most important player in that lineup this season.

Taking over for the departed Mark Teixeira, Morales hit .306 with 34 homers and 108 RBI.


EDGE: ANGELS


STARTING PITCHING

Boston enters the postseason with as dominant a 1-2 punch in the league with right-hander Josh Beckett and lefty Jon Lester. Beckett, though, has been bothered with back spasms of late, so Lester will get the ball in Game 1.

Lester probably earned it anyway, as he has been one of the best pitchers in the league from June on. Following a slow start, Lester finished the year 15-8 with a 3.41 ERA, while going 11 straight starts at one point without a loss.

Beckett, meanwhile, will try to add to his already incredible postseason resume in Game 2.

But, like last season he enters the playoffs with some back trouble. Regardless, Beckett is the best postseason pitcher of this generation, posting a 7-2 mark in 13 games (12 starts) to go along with a 2.90 ERA.

The ERA took a hit last season, as he surrendered 14 runs in 14 1/3 innings of his three playoff starts a year ago, including four runs in five innings of a no-decision against the Halos in the ALDS.

Beckett won his last three decisions and ended the year 17-6 with a 3.86 ERA. However, the question remains whether or not he is healthy, as he allowed three or more runs in seven of his final nine starts.

Boston will go with rookie Clay Buchholz in Game 3. Long considered the crown jewel of the Red Sox organization, Buchholz finally started to live up to expectations, as he went 7-4 with a 4.21 ERA. He may be running out of steam though. After going eight starts without a loss, Buchholz was 0-1 over his final two outings, surrendering 13 runs in eight innings of those starts.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, will hand the ball to righty John Lackey in Game 1. Lackey started the year on the disabled list and really did not hit his stride until the second half when he went 7-4 with a 3.05 ERA.

Lackey, though, has gone 0-2 in the past two years against the Red Sox in the playoffs and is just 3-7 lifetime versus them with a 5.25 ERA.

Jered Weaver goes in the second game, as he tries to carry the best regular season of his career into the postseason. Weaver won a team-high 16 games for the Angels this season, while pitching to a 3.75 in 33 starts.

The move that in the long run could ultimately put the Angels over the top here was the pickup of lefty Scott Kazmir from the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite winning just two of his six starts since the trade, Kazmir pitched to a 1.73 ERA.

If the teams opt for a fourth starter, Boston is expected to throw Daisuke Matsuzaka, who endured an injury-plagued 2009, while the Angels will send 16- game winner Joe Saunders to the hill.


EDGE: EVEN


BULLPEN

Jonathan Papelbon had another tremendous season for the Red Sox, saving 38 games, while pitching to a 1.85 ERA in 66 games. He has been even better lately, as he heads into the postseason with a 25-inning scoreless streak.

Papelbon also has a pair of flame-throwers setting him up in right-hander Daniel Bard and lefty Billy Wagner, who the team picked up from the Mets in August.

Crafty lefty Hideki Okajima was 6-0 this season, while righties Ramon Ramirez and Takashi Saito round out, perhaps the deepest bullpen of all the teams in the postseason.

Meanwhile, if there is one thing that could be the undoing of the Angels it is their bullpen.

Closer Brian Fuentes saved a major league high 48 games this season, but also blew seven and was 1-5 with a 3.93. He is anything but automatic and has gotten worse as the season has wore on.

In the second half, Fuentes had a 4.81 ERA, opponents hit .274 against him, and he had more walks (15) than strikeouts (12). Throwing more fuel on the fire is the fact that he pitched to a 6.52 ERA in 10 playoff games for Colorado in 2007 in his only other postseason experience.

Getting to him could be a problem too, as righties Kevin Jepsen and Jason Bulger have both struggled at times with the latter battling a shoulder issue.

Veteran left-hander Darren Oliver, though, has been a reliable option.

Also Ervin Santana will likely see time in the pen.


EDGE: RED SOX


MANAGERS

Scioscia is in his 10th campaign with the Angels and is the all-time leader in wins, guiding the club to 90-plus victories in six of the last eight years. Scioscia, who skippered the club to the 2002 championship, is also the only Angels manager to bring his team to the postseason six times.

Francona, meanwhile, is in his sixth year as skipper of the Red Sox and has taken the team to the postseason in five of those seasons, winning the World Series twice. The Red Sox are so well disciplined and rarely make a mistake in the field and all that is a credit to Francona.

However, for my money Scioscia is the best and most underrated manager in the game. One of these years, though, he is going to have to get past the Red Sox.


EDGE: ANGELS


PROGNOSIS

Logic tells you that at some point the Angels have to win one of these series against Boston. Josh Beckett's back is hurting, but it was hurting last year and the Red Sox still won. Plus the Boston lineup is even better than it was last year thanks to the in-season addition of catcher Victor Martinez. Not to mention the Angels head into the postseason with their worst bullpen situation in years. Boston feasts on units like that. I think the Angels' starting pitching will keep it close, but the Red Sox will pull it out...again.


Prediction: RED SOX IN FOUR
:mj07: :shrug: :nono: :mj07: :mj07:
*** I JUST FOUND A NEW DEALER ***
:weed:

 

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*** AL Division Series Matchup -- Boston vs. LA Angels ***
(All Times Eastern)



Boston Red Sox (95-67) vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (97-65)
----------------------------------------------------------------

Game One - Thursday, October 8th - Boston at LA Angels, 9:37 p.m.
Game Two - Friday, October 9th - Boston at LA Angels, 9:37 p.m.
Game Three - Sunday, October 11th - LA Angels at Boston, TBA
*Game Four - Monday, October 12th - LA Angels at Boston, TBA
*Game Five - Wednesday, October 14th - Boston at LA Angels, TBA

* - If necessary

2009 Head-to-Head Record - LA Angels 5-4 (1-2 at Bos; 4-2 at Ana)
2008 Head-to-Head Record - LA Angels 8-1 (5-1 at Bos; 3-0 at Ana)
2007 Head-to-Head Record - Boston 6-4 (5-2 at Bos; 1-2 at Ana)
2006 Head-to-Head Record - Tied 3-3 (Bos 1-2 at Home; 2-1 at Ana)
Home Record: Boston 56-25; LA Angels 49-32
Away Record: Boston 39-42; LA Angels 48-33
Current Streak: Boston (W4); LA Angels (W3)
Record vs. Western Division: Boston 13-21
Record vs. Eastern Division: LA Angels 26-17
Grass Record: Boston 85-55; LA Angels 90-57
Day Record: Boston 25-21; LA Angels 34-14
Night Record: Boston 70-46; LA Angels 63-51

*** Team Batting Statistics ***

Team AVG G AB R OR H TB 2B 3B HR GS RBI
Boston .270 162 5543 872 736 1495 2516 335 25 212 3 822
LA Angels .285 162 5622 883 761 1604 2482 293 33 173 0 841

Team SH SF HP BB IBB SO SB CS GIDP LOB SHO SLG OBP
Boston 19 51 70 659 39 1120 126 39 137 1210 7 .454 .352
LA Angels 43 52 41 547 32 1054 148 63 128 1134 6 .441 .350

*** Team Pitching Statistics ***

Team ERA CG SHO REL SV IP H
Boston 4.35 8 11 463 41 1436.2 1494
LA Angels 4.45 9 13 436 51 1445.0 1513

Team ER HR HB BB IBB SO WP BK AVG
Boston 695 167 68 530 24 1230 42 5 .267
LA Angels 715 180 58 523 35 1062 67 2 .272

*** Records in One Run Games ***

Home Away Overall
W L W L W L
Boston 14 8 8 9 22 17
LA Angels 15 8 12 10 27 18

*** Records in Extra Inning Games ***

Home Away Overall
W L W L W L
Boston 1 2 3 4 4 6
LA Angels 3 2 4 2 7 4

*** Runs Scored Home and Away ***

Home Avg. Away Avg. Total Avg.
---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----
Boston 481 5.9 391 4.8 872 5.38
LA Angels 444 5.5 439 5.4 883 5.45

*** Runs Allowed Home and Away ***

Home Avg. Away Avg. Total Avg.
---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----
Boston 351 4.3 385 4.8 736 4.54
LA Angels 386 4.8 375 4.6 761 4.70

*** vs. Left-Handed Starting Pitchers ***

Home Away 2009
---- ---- ----
Boston 16-10 14-15 30-25
LA Angels 15-10 22-7 37-17

*** vs. Right-Handed Starting Pitchers ***

Home Away 2009
---- ---- ----
Boston 40-15 25-27 65-42
LA Angels 34-22 26-26 60-48

*** Teams Record Behind Starting Pitchers ***

Boston Red Sox
--------------

Overall Home Away
Pitcher Record Day Night Day Night
------- ------ ------------ ------------

Josh Beckett 22-10 3-0 10-3 2-3 7-4
Michael Bowden 0-1 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0
Clay Buchholz 11-5 2-1 3-2 1-1 5-1
Paul Byrd 3-3 1-0 2-0 0-1 0-2
Jon Lester 22-10 3-1 8-2 2-1 9-6
Justin Masterson 3-3 1-0 1-1 0-1 1-1
Daisuke Matsuzaka 5-7 0-2 2-2 1-1 2-2
Brad Penny 11-13 0-1 8-4 2-5 1-3
John Smoltz 2-6 0-1 1-1 0-0 1-4
Junichi Tazawa 2-2 1-0 1-1 0-1 0-0
Tim Wakefield 14-7 3-0 6-2 3-1 2-4

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
-----------------------------

Overall Home Away
Pitcher Record Day Night Day Night
------- ------ ------------ ------------

Nick Adenhart 0-1 0-0 0-1 0-0 0-0
Trevor Bell 3-1 1-0 1-0 0-1 1-0
Kelvim Escobar 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1
Scott Kazmir 4-2 1-1 1-0 1-1 1-0
John Lackey 14-13 3-2 3-5 4-1 4-5
Shane Loux 3-3 1-0 0-1 1-2 1-0
Dustin Moseley 1-2 1-0 0-1 0-0 0-1
Darren Oliver 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1
Anthony Ortega 0-3 0-0 0-2 0-0 0-1
Sean O'Sullivan 8-2 0-0 4-0 1-0 3-2
Matt Palmer 11-2 1-0 5-2 4-0 1-0
Ervin Santana 12-11 2-2 2-5 2-1 6-3
Joe Saunders 20-11 3-1 8-4 2-1 7-5
Jered Weaver 21-12 4-0 8-5 2-1 7-6

2009 Meetings
-------------
4/10 - LA Angels, 6-3 (at Ana - WP: Jer.Weaver; LP: Wakefield)
4/11 - Boston, 5-4 (at Ana - WP: Penny; LP: Saunders)
4/12 - LA Angels, 5-4 (at Ana - WP: Moseley; LP: Beckett)
5/12 - Boston, 4-3 (at Ana - WP: R.S.Ramirez; LP: S.Shields)
5/13 - LA Angels, 8-4 (at Ana - WP: Palmer; LP: Wakefield)
5/14 - LA Angels, 5-4 (12) (at Ana - WP: Bulger; LP: Delcarmen)
9/15 - Boston, 4-1 (at Bos - WP: Matsuzaka; LP: Lackey)
9/16 - Boston, 9-8 (at Bos - WP: Bard; LP: Fuentes)
9/17 - LA Angels, 4-3 (at Bos - WP: Jepsen; LP: B.Wagner)

2008 Meetings
-------------
4/22 - Boston, 7-6 (at Bos - WP: Timlin; LP: Oliver)
4/23 - LA Angels, 6-4 (at Bos - WP: Garland; LP: Hansen)
4/24 - LA Angels, 7-5 (at Bos - WP: Saunders; LP: Delcarmen)
7/18 - LA Angels, 11-3 (at Ana - WP: Lackey; LP: C.Buchholz)
7/19 - LA Angels, 4-2 (at Ana - WP: Arredondo; LP: Beckett)
7/20 - LA Angels, 5-3 (at Ana - WP: Oliver; LP: Wakefield)
7/28 - LA Angels, 7-5 (at Bos - WP: Jer.Weaver; LP: Matsuzaka)
7/29 - LA Angels, 6-2 (at Bos - WP: Lackey; LP: C.Buchholz)
7/30 - LA Angels, 9-2 (at Bos - WP: Saunders; LP: Beckett)

2007 Meetings
-------------
4/13 - Boston, 10-1 (at Bos - WP: Wakefield; LP: Lackey)
4/14 - Boston, 8-0 (at Bos - WP: Schilling; LP: Carrasco)
4/15 - Postponed at Boston (Made-up August 17th)
4/16 - Boston, 7-2 (at Bos - WP: Beckett; LP: E.Santana)
8/06 - LA Angels, 4-2 (at Ana - WP: J.Speier; LP: Schilling)
8/07 - LA Angels, 10-4 (at Ana - WP: Saunders; LP: Wakefield)
8/08 - Boston, 9-6 (at Ana - WP: Okajima; LP: J.Speier)
8/17 - Boston, 8-4 (at Bos - WP: C.Buchholz; LP: Lackey)
8/17 - LA Angels, 7-5 (at Bos - WP: Fr.Rodriguez; LP: Gagne)
8/18 - Boston, 10-5 (at Bos - WP: Schilling; LP: Jer.Weaver)
8/19 - LA Angels, 3-1 (at Bos - WP: Saunders; LP: Tavarez)

2006 Meetings
-------------
7/28 - LA Angels, 8-3 (at Bos - WP: Escobar; LP: Lester)
7/29 - Boston, 7-6 (11) (at Bos - WP: Tavarez; LP: Carrasco)
7/30 - LA Angels, 10-4 (at Bos - WP: Lackey; LP: Schilling)
8/22 - LA Angels, 4-3 (at Ana - WP: S.Shields; LP: Gabbard)
8/23 - Boston, 5-4 (at Ana - WP: Lester; LP: Escobar)
8/24 - Boston, 2-1 (at Ana - WP: Beckett; LP: Jer.Weaver)

Boston last 10 games LA Angels last 10 games
-------------------- -----------------------
9/25 - L at NY Yankees, 5-9 9/25 - L vs. Oakland, 0-3
9/26 - L at NY Yankees, 0-3 9/26 - L vs. Oakland, 10-15
9/27 - L at NY Yankees, 2-4 9/27 - W vs. Oakland, 7-4
9/28 - L vs. Toronto, 5-11 (6 1/2) 9/28 - W vs. Texas, 11-0
9/29 - L vs. Toronto, 7-8 9/29 - W vs. Texas, 5-2
9/30 - L vs. Toronto, 0-12 9/30 - W vs. Texas, 5-0
10/1 - W vs. Cleveland, 3-0 10/1 - L vs. Texas, 3-11
10/2 - W vs. Cleveland, 6-2 10/2 - W at Oakland, 5-2
10/3 - W vs. Cleveland, 11-6 10/3 - W at Oakland, 4-2
10/4 - W vs. Cleveland, 12-7 10/4 - W at Oakland, 5-3

*** Final 2009 Boston Red Sox Individual Statistics ***

BATTERS BA SLG G AB R H TB 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS E
T.Wakefield .500 .500 21 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
J.Van Every .364 .636 7 11 1 4 7 0 0 1 3 2 5 0 0 0
A.Bates .364 .545 5 11 2 4 6 2 0 0 2 1 4 0 0 1
D.Brown .333 1.333 7 3 1 1 4 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0
J.Gathright .313 .313 17 16 7 5 5 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0
K.Youkilis .305 .548 136 491 99 150 269 36 1 27 94 77 125 7 2 6
V.Martinez .303 .480 155 588 88 178 282 33 1 23 108 75 74 1 0 7
J.Ellsbury .301 .415 153 624 94 188 259 27 10 8 60 49 74 70 12 2
D.Pedroia .296 .447 154 626 115 185 280 48 1 15 72 74 45 20 8 6
M.Lowell .290 .474 119 445 54 129 211 29 1 17 75 33 61 2 1 9
A.Gonzalez .284 .453 44 148 26 42 67 10 0 5 15 5 29 2 0 1
J.Drew .279 .522 137 452 84 126 236 30 4 24 68 82 109 2 6 2
J.Bay .267 .537 151 531 103 142 285 29 3 36 119 94 162 13 3 0
R.Baldelli .253 .433 62 150 23 38 65 4 1 7 23 11 37 1 0 3
B.Anderson .243 .347 86 202 32 49 70 9 0 4 18 23 54 3 6 2
D.Ortiz .238 .462 150 541 77 129 250 35 1 28 99 74 134 0 2 1
G.Kottaras .237 .387 45 93 15 22 36 11 0 1 10 11 25 0 0 1
N.Green .236 .366 104 276 35 65 101 18 0 6 35 20 69 1 4 16
C.Kotchman .218 .287 39 87 9 19 25 3 0 1 7 7 14 1 0 0
C.Woodward .215 .228 33 79 7 17 18 1 0 0 5 7 19 1 0 5
J.Varitek .209 .390 109 364 41 76 142 24 0 14 51 54 90 0 0 3
J.Bailey .208 .416 26 77 14 16 32 3 2 3 9 10 21 0 0 2
J.Beckett .200 .800 32 5 1 1 4 0 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 2
J.Reddick .169 .339 27 59 5 10 20 4 0 2 4 2 17 0 0 1
J.Lowrie .147 .265 32 68 5 10 18 2 0 2 11 6 20 0 0 1
D.Richardson --- --- 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D.Matsuzaka .000 .000 12 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
H.Okajima .000 .000 68 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
B.Wagner --- --- 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
P.Byrd --- --- 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
G.Velazquez .000 .000 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
B.Traber --- --- 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
J.Lopez --- --- 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
F.Cabrera --- --- 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
C.Carter .000 .000 4 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 0
T.Saito --- --- 56 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
C.Buchholz --- --- 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
H.Jones --- --- 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
M.Bowden --- --- 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
J.Tazawa --- --- 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D.Bard --- --- 49 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
J.Lester .000 .000 32 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2
J.Papelbon --- --- 66 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
R.Ramirez .000 .000 70 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
M.Delcarmen --- --- 64 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
E.Gonzalez --- --- 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

PITCHERS W- L ERA G GS CG GF SH SV IP H R ER HR BB SO WP
N.Green 0- 0 0.00 1 0 0 1 0 0 2.0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
D.Richardson 0- 0 0.00 3 0 0 1 0 0 3.1 3 0 0 0 1 0 1
J.Van Every 0- 0 0.00 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
J.Papelbon 1- 1 1.85 66 0 0 59 0 38 68.0 54 15 14 5 24 76 0
B.Wagner 1- 1 1.98 15 0 0 2 0 0 13.2 8 5 3 1 7 22 1
T.Saito 3- 3 2.43 56 0 0 30 0 2 55.2 50 16 15 6 25 52 1
R.Ramirez 7- 4 2.84 70 0 0 16 0 0 69.2 61 26 22 7 32 52 2
H.Okajima 6- 0 3.39 68 0 0 6 0 0 61.0 56 23 23 8 21 53 0
J.Lester 15- 8 3.41 32 32 2 0 0 0 203.1 186 80 77 20 64 225 6
D.Bard 2- 2 3.65 49 0 0 12 0 1 49.1 41 24 20 5 22 63 1
J.Beckett 17- 6 3.86 32 32 4 0 2 0 212.1 198 99 91 25 55 199 3
C.Buchholz 7- 4 4.21 16 16 0 0 0 0 92.0 91 44 43 13 36 68 1
M.Delcarmen 5- 2 4.53 64 0 0 6 0 0 59.2 64 34 30 5 34 44 1
T.Wakefield 11- 5 4.58 21 21 2 0 0 0 129.2 137 67 66 12 50 72 4
E.Gonzalez 0- 0 4.91 2 0 0 2 0 0 3.2 5 2 2 1 2 1 0
D.Matsuzaka 4- 6 5.76 12 12 0 0 0 0 59.1 81 38 38 10 30 54 8
P.Byrd 1- 3 5.82 7 6 0 0 0 0 34.0 47 22 22 4 11 11 0
J.Tazawa 2- 3 7.46 6 4 0 1 0 0 25.1 43 23 21 4 9 13 0
F.Cabrera 0- 0 8.44 6 0 0 3 0 0 5.1 7 5 5 0 4 8 0
D.Brown 0- 0 9.00 1 0 0 1 0 0 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 1 0
H.Jones 0- 0 9.24 11 0 0 1 0 0 12.2 16 13 13 3 7 9 2
J.Lopez 0- 2 9.26 14 0 0 5 0 0 11.2 20 13 12 1 9 5 1
M.Bowden 1- 1 9.56 8 1 0 3 0 0 16.0 23 17 17 3 6 12 3
B.Traber 0- 0 12.27 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.2 9 5 5 2 1 1 0

*** Final 2009 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Individual Statistics ***

BATTERS BA SLG G AB R H TB 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS E
S.O`Sullivan .333 .333 12 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
E.Aybar .312 .423 137 504 70 157 213 23 9 5 58 30 54 14 7 11
K.Morales .306 .569 152 566 86 173 322 43 2 34 108 46 117 3 7 8
M.Izturis .300 .434 114 387 74 116 168 22 3 8 65 35 41 13 5 4
T.Hunter .299 .508 119 451 74 135 229 26 1 22 90 47 92 18 4 1
C.Figgins .298 .393 158 615 114 183 242 30 7 5 54 101 114 42 17 14
V.Guerrero .295 .460 100 383 59 113 176 16 1 15 50 19 56 2 1 0
B.Abreu .293 .435 152 563 96 165 245 29 3 15 103 94 113 30 8 8
H.Kendrick .291 .444 105 374 61 109 166 21 3 10 61 20 71 11 4 4
J.Rivera .287 .478 138 529 72 152 253 24 1 25 88 36 57 0 1 2
T.Evans .286 .286 11 7 2 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0
C.Pettit .286 .286 10 7 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
M.Napoli .272 .492 114 382 60 104 188 22 1 20 56 40 103 3 3 8
G.Matthews .250 .361 103 316 44 79 114 19 2 4 50 40 74 4 1 3
R.Quinlan .243 .339 54 115 13 28 39 5 0 2 14 5 30 1 1 1
R.Willits .213 .238 49 80 16 17 19 2 0 0 6 5 17 5 1 0
J.Mathis .211 .308 84 237 26 50 73 8 0 5 28 22 73 2 3 7
B.Wilson .200 .400 12 5 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
B.Wood .195 .293 18 41 5 8 12 1 0 1 3 3 19 0 0 3
F.Sandoval .182 .273 5 11 1 2 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
M.Palmer .167 .167 40 6 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0
J.Lackey .125 .125 27 8 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2
S.Loux --- --- 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
R.Budde .000 .000 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
D.Moseley --- --- 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
J.Arredondo --- --- 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
S.Shields --- --- 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
B.Fuentes --- --- 65 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
K.Escobar --- --- 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
D.Oliver --- --- 63 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
J.Speier --- --- 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
J.Weaver .000 .000 33 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1
R.Thompson --- --- 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
E.Santana --- --- 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
J.Saunders --- --- 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
F.Rodriguez --- --- 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
R.Rodriguez --- --- 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
S.Kazmir --- --- 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
K.Jepsen --- --- 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
J.Bulger --- --- 64 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
D.Davidson --- --- 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
N.Adenhart --- --- 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
R.Mosebach --- --- 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
A.Ortega --- --- 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
T.Bell --- --- 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

PITCHERS W- L ERA G GS CG GF SH SV IP H R ER HR BB SO WP
N.Adenhart 0- 0 0.00 1 1 0 0 0 0 6.0 7 0 0 0 3 5 1
D.Oliver 5- 1 2.71 63 1 0 9 0 0 73.0 61 22 22 5 22 65 7
J.Bulger 6- 1 3.56 64 0 0 20 0 1 65.2 46 26 26 7 30 68 5
K.Escobar 0- 1 3.60 1 1 0 0 0 0 5.0 4 2 2 0 4 5 0
J.Weaver 16- 8 3.75 33 33 4 0 2 0 211.0 196 91 88 26 66 174 3
J.Lackey 11- 8 3.83 27 27 1 0 1 0 176.1 177 84 75 17 47 139 6
B.Fuentes 1- 5 3.93 65 0 0 57 0 48 55.0 53 24 24 6 24 46 1
M.Palmer 11- 2 3.93 40 13 1 10 0 0 121.1 105 55 53 12 55 69 5
D.Moseley 1- 0 4.30 3 3 0 0 0 0 14.2 20 8 7 3 3 8 0
J.Saunders 16- 7 4.60 31 31 1 0 1 0 186.0 202 102 95 29 64 101 5
S.Kazmir 10- 9 4.89 26 26 0 0 0 0 147.1 149 85 80 16 60 117 13
K.Jepsen 6- 4 4.94 54 0 0 13 0 1 54.2 63 33 30 2 19 48 6
E.Santana 8- 8 5.03 24 23 2 0 2 0 139.2 159 83 78 24 47 107 4
R.Thompson 0- 0 5.12 13 0 0 2 0 0 19.1 27 11 11 6 7 21 5
J.Speier 4- 2 5.18 41 0 0 8 0 0 40.0 44 23 23 7 15 39 2
D.Davidson 0- 0 5.40 4 0 0 1 0 0 1.2 3 1 1 0 3 0 0
R.Rodriguez 0- 1 5.58 18 0 0 6 0 0 30.2 47 22 19 4 9 10 1
S.Loux 2- 3 5.86 18 6 0 7 0 0 58.1 84 42 38 4 19 19 3
S.O`Sullivan 4- 2 5.92 12 10 0 1 0 0 51.2 60 34 34 12 16 29 1
J.Arredondo 2- 3 6.00 43 0 0 15 0 0 45.0 47 30 30 6 23 47 5
S.Shields 1- 3 6.62 20 0 0 2 0 1 17.2 16 14 13 1 15 12 1
R.Mosebach 0- 0 7.71 3 0 0 1 0 0 2.1 4 3 2 0 3 2 1
A.Ortega 0- 2 9.24 3 3 0 0 0 0 12.2 19 15 13 4 6 7 0
T.Bell 1- 2 9.74 8 4 0 1 0 0 20.1 40 25 22 3 11 14 1
F.Rodriguez 0- 0 27.00 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 1 3 2 1 2 1 1

Note - All statistics are regular season except where noted.

 

[Lumi]

For Angels, playing Red Sox might be a steal

For Angels, playing Red Sox might be a steal

For Angels, playing Red Sox might be a steal
Boston has had little success stopping runners, giving up 151 stolen bases this season, worst in the majors.


If the Red Sox hope to keep the Angels' potent offense in check, they'll have to start by shutting down the running game -- something they haven't been able to do all season.

Boston gave up 151 stolen bases this season, 19 more than any other team, and threw out only 13% of would-be basestealers, also the worst figure in the majors.

That plays right into the Angels' strength, because Mike Scioscia's team features six players who stole at least 11 bases, including leadoff hitter Chone Figgins, who was fourth in the American League with 42 steals.

"It's no secret that's a big part of their game, the running game," Boston catcher Victor Martinez said in Spanish. "The best thing is to keep those guys off the bases. But at the same time, they're pretty good hitters."

Boston bullpen coach Gary Tuck, one of baseball's top catching instructors, said that although catchers frequently take the blame for stolen bases, the responsibility for keeping runners close starts with the pitcher.

"If you hold them good enough, you've got a chance," Tuck said. "If not, it doesn't matter who's behind the plate. Johnny Bench or whoever."

In that case, the Red Sox have the right man on the mound tonight. Although left-hander Jon Lester gave up 19 stolen bases during the regular season, his six pickoffs were second-best in the American League.

"You just have to be conscious of varying your looks and your holds," Lester said. "But at the same time, you can't take the focus away from the hitter at home plate."

Sitting and waiting

Jason Varitek has caught 1,381 games for the Red Sox, the most in franchise history. But he isn't likely to start tonight and might not catch at all in the series.

Martinez, who batted .336 in 56 games with Boston, is expected to get most of the playing time behind the plate. But if Varitek is unhappy about that, he isn't saying so publicly.

"There's one job to do and that's to support my teammates," said Varitek, who has batted .134 since the Martinez trade. "All I can do is go and do what I do and be a good teammate.

"You can't control, really, your playing time. But you can control the other parts of what you can contribute. And it might not be by playing. It may be just being on the bench. It's not the time of year, really, to be selfish."

Big Papi production

David Ortiz was hitting .188 with one home run three games into June before getting himself on track, finishing with 28 homers and 99 runs batted in. But none of that -- neither the good nor the bad -- matters tonight, he said.

"There's no tomorrow," he said. "You've got to go and play your best. If they catch you sleeping, you know where you're going to be. The next round you're going to be watching from home."

 

[Lumi]

FROM LA TIMES

GAME 1 LINEUPS Projected lineups for Game 1 between the Angels and Red Sox, with season stats, numbers against the opposing team this season, and career numbers against the opposing starting pitcher:

ANGELS

Chone Figgins, 3b (season: .298, 5 HRs, 54 RBIs; vs. Boston: .257, 0, 2; vs. Jon Lester, career: .250. 0, 3)

Bobby Abreu, rf (.293, 15, 103; vs Boston: .314, 0, 5; vs. Lester: .308, 0, 3)

Torii Hunter, cf (.299, 22, 90; vs. Boston: .367, 3, 9; vs. Lester: .667, 0, 0)

Vladimir Guerrero, dh (.295, 15, 50; vs. Boston: .211, 1, 1; vs. Lester: .400, 0, 1)

Juan Rivera, lf (.287, 25, 88; vs. Boston: .194, 0, 3; vs. Lester: .400, 0, 2)

Kendry Morales, 1b (.306, 34, 108; vs. Boston: .200, 0, 2; vs. Lester: never played)

Howie Kendrick, 2b (.291, 10, 61; vs. Boston: .379, 1, 7; vs. Lester: .400, 0, 0)

Erick Aybar, ss (.312, 5, 58; vs. Boston: .346, 0, 2; vs. Lester: .667, 0, 2)

Jeff Mathis, c (.211, 5, 28; vs. Boston: .438, 0, 4; vs. Lester: .250, 0, 0)

John Lackey, p (11-8, 3.83 ERA; vs. Boston: 0-1, 2.35)

BOSTON

Jacoby Ellsbury, cf (.301, 8 HRs, 60 RBIs; vs. Angels: .342, 1, 4; vs. Lackey: .200, 0, 0)

Dustin Pedroia, 2b (.296, 15, 72; vs. Angels: .290, 0, 1; vs. Lackey: .375, 0, 0)

Victor Martinez, c (.303, 23, 108; vs. Angels: .333, 0, 0; vs. Lackey: .476, 0, 0)

Kevin Youkilis, 1b (.305, 27, 94; vs. Angels: .364, 1, 2; vs. Lackey: .294, 2, 4)

David Ortiz, dh (.238, 28, 99; vs. Angels, .167, 1, 5; vs. Lackey: .333, 2, 10)

Jason Bay, lf (.267, 36, 119; vs. Angels: .313, 4, 12; vs. Lackey: .500, 0, 1)

Mike Lowell, 3b (.290, 17, 75; vs. Angels: .167. 1. 2; vs. Lackey: .143, 0, 1)

J.D. Drew, rf (.279, 24, 68; vs. Angels: .192, 2, 2; vs. Lackey: .300, 0, 1

Alex Gonzalez, ss (.284, 5, 15; vs. Angels: .333, 0, 3; vs. Lackey: .364, 0, 0)

Jon Lester, p (15-8, 3.41; vs. Angels: no record in 2009)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROJECTED ROTATIONS

GAME 1: Boston (Jon Lester, 15-8, 3.41); Angels (John Lackey, 11-8, 3.83)

GAME 2: Boston: (Josh Beckett, 17-6, 3.86); Angels (Jered Weaver, 16-8, 3.75)

GAME 3: Angels (Scott Kazmir, 10-9, 4.89); Boston (Clay Buchholz, 7-4, 4.21)

GAME 4: Angels (Joe Saunders, 16-7, 4.60); Boston (Lester or Matsuzaka, 4-6, 5.76)

GAME 5: Boston (Lester or Beckett); Angels (Lackey)