Poor Angels.
For the third year in a row, and fourth out of six, they draw Boston, who, each time, has ended their season.
LA/Anaheim has won the AL West five of the past six seasons, but have yet to return to the World Series (they won in 2002 as aWild Card). The Angels have won 89 or more games for six years running, have captured three straight division crowns , and, unlike their opponents, three-quarters of their roster is homegrown.Â
That’s some fascinating or troubling history, depending upon which side your allegiance falls.
Here is the TV schedule and the pitching matchups for the Angels-Red Sox ALDS series:
Angels-Red Sox ALDS TV Schedule and Pitching Matchups
| Game | Matchup | Day | Date | Time | TV | Pitching Matchup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gm 1 | BOS @ LAA | Thu | 10/8 | 9:37 | TBS | Jon Lester v John Lackey |
| Gm 2 | BOS @ LAA | Fri | 10/9 | 9:37 | TBS | Josh Beckett v Jered Weaver |
| Gm 3 | LAA @ BOS | Sun | 10/11 | TBD | TBS | TBD |
| Gm 4 | LAA @ BOS | Mon | 10/12 | TBD | TBS | TBD |
| Gm 5 | BOS @ LAA | Wed | 10/14 | TBD | TBS | TBD |
While the Red Sox have been up and down the second half of the year, the Angels played .600 ball in putting away a solid Rangers team that did not finally fade until mid-September. They can hit, field, pitch and certainly run, which they’ll do versus a Boston team that cannot stop the run (to use a football analogy). Also consider mid-season acquisition Scott Kazmir, noted “Red Sox” killer who goes at Fenway in Game 3, has an ERA around two since joining the Angels.
While in years past, it was the Angels who came into October banged up and with question marks, this time it’s Boston, who though as talented as anyone, has many mysteries (Varitek, Ortiz, Lester’s health, Buchholz, Papelbon’s stamina and hype, even Beckett). So, if the Angels can win the first two in California, they’ll be set to exorcise those demons. If they can just split, it’ll be better than 2007 or 2008. Either way, every team must climb that hurdle: Boston over the Yanks, the Bulls over the Pistons in the late 80s NBA and so on.
Boston played poorly the last ten days of the season, dropping six in a row at one point. They were also under .500 on the road this season (39-42), while Anaheim was equally as strong on the road as at home. While both teams have deeper starting staffs than the other two AL participants, the BoSox probably have a better staff as well as postseason’s best bullpen, including Daisuke Matsuzaka and guys you’ve likely never heard of. On the flip, Angels’ closer Brian Fuentes pitched poorly against Boston (8.10 ERA). The Angels though, are truly blessed with depth and versatility. Cuban defector Kendri Morales has a great story and should also be third in AL MVP voting for 2009. About a month ago, they put a lineup on the field in Toronto where every hitter, one through nine, was hitting over .300. The Angels have as good a shot as ever, are confident, and for one sentimental reason, they’re motivated in 2009.
Angels preview here.
Red Sawx here.
About AJ Kaufman
