Angels-Red Sox ALDS Preview, Pitching Matchups, and TV Schedule

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. 

That’s some fascinating or troubling history, depending upon which side your allegiance falls.

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Spring Training Kicks Off Tonight | Twins v Red Sox 7p | Boof Opts For Shoulder Surgery

The Minnesota Twins Spring Training season kicks off tonight as they take on the Boston Red Sox in Ft. Myers at 7pm (Perkins v Wakefield). Carlos Gomez will be sitting out tonight’s game giving some other guys looks, while Joe Crede will make his Twins debut this Friday. Don’t expect to see much of Mauer this month as he is still recovering from kidney surgery, but after taking a light batting practice, he says he feels good and should be ready for opening day.

The Lineups for tonight should look something like:
Boston
P Wakefield
1. Ellesbury CF
2. Pedroia 2B
3. Youkilis 3B
4. Bay LF
5. Wilkerson RF
6. Lowrie SS
7. Bailey DH
8. Bard C
9. Velazquez

Minnesota
P Perkins
1. Span CF
2. Casilla 2B
3. Cuddy RF
4. Morneau 1B
5. Young LF
6. Kubel DH
7. Buscher 3B
8. T.Gardenhire/M.Redmond C
9. Punto SS

In other news, Boof Bonser opted to undergo surgery next week on his ailing shoulder. Expect him to be placed on the 60 day disabled list shortly. This means that the Twins may make a harder push for Juan Cruz, or that Phil Humber’s odds of making the opening day squad drastically increased over the last 48 hours.

Also the Twins Starting Rotation was announced and the opening day starter will be…..Scott Baker!
1. Scott Baker RHP
2. Francisco Liriano LHP
3. Kevin Slowey RHP
4. Glen Perkins LHP
5. Nick Blackburn RHP

It’s interesting that Perkins got the nod for the 4th spot. Maybe they really like following Slowey up with a lefty?

Kick back and enjoy some baseball tonight! Spring is just around the corner!

Red Sox Come Back to Beat Tampa Bay in Game 5 | Josh Beckett to Pitch Game 6

Click here for the latest updates on the suspended World Series Game 5

The Boston Red Sox proved that the ALCS is still very much alive with a thrilling 8-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays tonight. Tampa Bay led 7-0 heading into the bottom of the 7th inning, but the Red Sox rallied to score 7 runs over the next two innings and then won the game on a JD Drew RBI in the bottom of the 9th inning.

The Red Sox victory tonight forces the series back to Tampa Bay for Game 6 on Saturday, when Captain Clutch Josh Becket, a consistent playoff stalwart before this season, takes on James Shields. I love James Shields and I love this Tampa Bay team. Once my beloved White Sox were eliminated by the Rays, they became my surrogate team to root for in this year’s playoffs. And I know that Josh Beckett struggled mightily in his last outing. However, if you had a gun to your head and had to pick a winner of this game could you possibly pick against Josh Beckett?

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