Oct 01 2008
Key Playoff Matchup: Angels vs. Red Sox
Dustin Pedroia led the league in hits and hit .326 with 17HR and 83 RBI’s and had 20 SB’s.
Let’s breakdown the big matchup series against the defending World Series Champs Boston Red Sox and the team with the best record in the majors, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Both teams are deep and have solid rotations and bullpens. However, I am going to break down key players for each team and the game 1, 2, and 3 pitching matchups.
Key players for this divisional series is for the Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia, the probable AL MVP and this team’s sparkplug all year, needs to continue what he has been doing all year for this Red Sox squad defensively and offensively. Other key players for the Sox are Kevin Youkliis (.312 29HR 115RBI) and David Ortiz (.265 23HR 89RBI). The question remains is can Big Papi clutch up in the playoffs without his clutch counterpart Manny Ramirez in the playoffs?
Key players for the Angels are: Vladimir Guerrero needs to be the clutch hitter for this Angels lineup and let the pitching staff do the rest and carry this team. Mark Teixeira is my biggest key player because he hasn’t been in the playoffs and gets his first taste of it this season. So this stud power-hitting first baseman needs to provide some pop and some gold-glove defense.
Game 1 pitching matchup features an ace and another one on the rise. For the Angels, they go to their clutch playoff pitcher and ace John Lackey (12-5, 3.75 E.R.A). Lackey is 2-0 with a 2.81 E.R.A at home against the Red Sox in 2008. So that should be an advantage for the Angels in Game 1 of this series. However, the Red Sox turn to their southpaw rising star Jon Lester (16-6, 3.21 E.R.A), who won Game 4 and the clinching game in the World Series last year. Lester has pitched like an ace all year and looks to go deep into this game and give his team a chance to win and let the bullpen and high-octane offense do the rest.
Game 2 features two young righties, who had great seasons and it should be an exciting pitching matchup. For the Angels is all-star Ervin Santana (16-7, 3.49 E.R.A), who had a dismal 2007 season, rebounded to have 16 victories this season and pitched like a Cy Young candidate at times. For the Red Sox in game 2, they go to other ace Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-3, 2.90 E.R.A), who has pitched well all year in only his second professional season in the majors. Look for Matsuzaka to pitch well, but raise his pitch count up quick as he has done all season. So look for the Red Sox bullpen to play a key role in Game 2 of this series.
Game 3 features an unlikely ace and one you have heard of before. For the Angels is all-star Joe Saunders (17-7, 3.41 E.R.A), who just had a kidney stone recently, and rebounded back in his last start and dominated for 6 innings of 2 hit ball to pick up his 17th victory. This one might be a pitchers’ duel because the Red Sox turn to formidable ace Josh Beckett (12-10, 4.03 E.R.A) , who has been clutch in the playoffs throughout his career, but has had to deal with some injuries this season. Beckett pitching at Fenway in the playoffs. I have to like the Red Sox’s chances in Game 3 of this series. But we will see what happens. Should be an exciting game and series nonetheless.
Angels key bullpen arms: Scot Shields (6-4, 2.70 E.R.A, 4 saves), setup man Jose Arredondo (10-2, 1.62 E.R.A), and lights out closer Francisco Rodriguez (2-3, 2.24 E.R.A, 62 saves).
Red Sox bullpen arms: Manny Delcarmen (1-2, 3.27 E.R.A, 2 saves) setup man Hideki Okajima (3-2, 2.61 E.R.A, 1 save) and closer Jonathan Papelbon (5-4, 2.34 E.R.A, 41 saves).
My Bold Prediction: Angels in 5.
