The Red Sox are in such dire straits offensively, I’m pining for the offensive slump the team was in that precipitated the Victor Martinez trade.
Across two games, Boston’s come up with just eight measly hits, only two of them extra-base hits (and not of the four-bagger variety).
Putting aside for the moment whether Terry Francona messed up on such decisions as leaving Josh Beckett in too long, where do the Sox go from here?
With the last installation surrounding the Anaheim Angels’ hitters, its time to take a look at the other half of the California equation: the pitching staff.
The Angels come into the ALDS with one of the deeper rotations among the contenders, with five quality options manning four slots. Mike Scioscia has opted to go with John Lackey as his Game One starter, followed by Jered Weaver in Game Two, Scott Kazmir in Game Three, then Joe Saunders in Game Four. Fifth starter Ervin Santana has been sent to the bullpen, though there are still circles who believe him to be the better option of he and Saunders.
While the overall quality of the Angels’ rotation is comparable to that of the Red Sox, it is not as top-heavy as their Boston counterparts. Few, if any, rotations boast the one-two punch of Jon Lester and Josh Beckett. However, with the seasons that Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright have had, St. Louis could have the Sox beat. Still, that’s beside the point.
The Anaheim bullpen is also a quality outfit featuring some underrated arms and intriguing role players. However, when compared to the talent and depth present in the Sox ‘pen, this corps leaves much to be desired. As echoed by fellow FireBrand writer, Evan Brunell, “Bulger (if healthy), Palmer and Oliver are all good, but would all jockey with Manny Delcarmen for the final spot in Boston’s ‘pen,” this bullpen is already behind in the race.
The Red Sox are set to do battle with the Angels later this week to decide who gets to play for the American League pennant. Boston and Los Angeles are certainly familiar with each other, having done battle in the 2004, ‘07 and ‘08 DCS. In fact, Boston went 9-1 in those games and the Angels’ futility extends all the way bac to 1986 and Donnie Moore.
Do the Angels have a chance to put their Boston voodoo behind them or will the Sawx manhandle L.A. all the way towards what seems to be an inevitable date with the Evil Empire?
Read on to see pitching breakdowns, a look at the offense and defense, musings on hometown advantages, and the official prediction.
Shrowded in as much secrecy as a Cold War nuclear test or New England Patriots injury, the California Angels have yielded very few signals as to the makeup of their postseason roster. While the starting lineup is generally set, the rest of the team is in a state of flux.
There have been some indications, however, from sources close to the team of what their roster will look like in the ALDS. Most pundits agree on the following roster developments:
1) The team is confident in its first three starters: John Lackey, Jered Weaver, and Scott Kazmir.
2) The team will opt to go with either Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana in the fourth spot, though Saunders seems to be the frontrunner at the moment…
It’s not everyday that Red Sox fans get to see Alex Gonzalez at the bottom of a walk-off pig-pile. It’s even more rare to see him take a walk. But last night, he did both, leading the Red Sox past the Los Angeles Angels, 9-8.
Both Paul Byrd and Angels’ starter Joe Saunders pitched some uninspired baseball, but it was the quick feet and quick thinking of the Red Sox that brought home the seventh win in eight days for Boston.
GAME NOTES: Paul Byrd makes what could be his final start for the Red Sox, as Tim Wakefield is due back shortly. Byrd has been a nice arm for the Sox so far. Can he shut down that offense?
Brad Penny wasn’t supposed to return this early, but the Opening Day rainout took care of that. He was brutal in 2008 for the Dodgers but a Cy contender in 2007. Time to see if he can hold up in the AL and turn our fortunes around.
The Angels do not get on base much, and they haven’t hit for all that much power of late. I am a stat-guy. So I believe that an offense needs to do these things to score enough runs. There is only so much that can happen as a result of “hit and runs” and taking the extra base. Now, taking the extra base is great, and often overlooked–as is baserunning in general. But a team must get on base enough, in order to score enough.
The Abreu acquisition was great. For that amount of money, the team put aside their philosophy of having only players who can play defense, and sacrificed “it” for a little offense. There is no risk in signing Abreu, and he should still hit for average, get on base, and flash enough power to make him a quality all-around player.
This is not 1986. This is not 2004. This is not 2007. The 2008 Halos are 100-62 and, on paper, the most complete team in baseball. Orange County limped into [...]
Prev. Gm:
Los Angeles Angels (66-40) @ Boston Red Sox (61-47)
Joe Saunders (13-5, 3.10) @ Josh Beckett (9-7, 3.83)
7:05 PM EDT | Fenway Park (Boston, MA)
TV: NESN RADIO: [...]
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