Truth & Rumors > MLB

Angels leaning toward three ALDS starters

Views
1421
Comments
11

According to one voice in the Boston organization, the Red Sox expect the Los Angeles Angels to opt for a series start on Wednesday rather than Thursday, which would allow both clubs to get through the first round of the playoffs with just three starting pitchers, all operating on normal rest. That would allow the Sox to go with Josh Beckett (Games 1 and 4), Jon Lester (Games 2 and 5) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (Game 3) in the best-of-5 affair. While many have assumed that the Angels would opt for a Thursday start -- thereby eliminating one day off and necessitating the need for a fourth starter -- the Angels would have their own reasons for starting the series on Wednesday. By doing so, Angels manager Mike Scioscia would have his entire bullpen at his disposal for virtually the entire series, exploiting one of Anaheim's perceived strengths in the matchup with Boston. Angels relievers currently possess a 3.73 ERA that ranks just ahead of the Red Sox (3.81, sixth), but the Los Angeles bullpen is regarded as deeper and more consistent, particularly with the emergence of 24-year-old righthander Jose Arredondo (9-2, 1.54 ERA in 50 appearances).

Boston Globe

Mike Scioscia, AP Mike Scioscia, AP
September 26, 2008  08:56 AM ET

Great Day in the Morning! Soscia is REALLY fat these days!

September 26, 2008  09:11 AM ET

He's going to need that wait to cary around the WS trophy

September 26, 2008  09:12 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

He's going to need that wait to cary around the WS trophy

Surely you are still hung over Tony?

September 26, 2008  09:12 AM ET

wait = weight

September 26, 2008  09:15 AM ET

They will piss all over themselves in typical Los Angeles/Anaheim/California/El Segundo fashion

September 26, 2008  09:37 AM ET

I really hope that TB can take the AL EAST... because there is NO way Boston wins against LAA... I hate to say this but GO LAA and TB!!!

September 26, 2008  11:12 AM ET

In a shrt series, especially a 5 game series, anything can happen.

September 26, 2008  03:07 PM ET

God, I hope LAA goes down easy. I remember walking down the strip in Vegas with a Red Sox hat on, and a group of college kids pulled up to me in a car, and started screaming about LAA. I remember just swaggering by, saying, "Yeah, won't be hearing you cheer in October..." I don't want to eat my words...

September 26, 2008  05:03 PM ET

I'm actually kinda surprised that LA is going to let Boston just use Lester, Beckett and Matsuzaka. While their regular season bullpen may have slightly better numbers, this allows Boston to use Wakefield out of the pen with Masterson, Delcarmen and Okijima with Papelbon at the end.

September 26, 2008  09:23 PM ET

Ha! Who is going to be this year's version of Donnie Moore? Yes, California Angels, I am talking to you.

 
September 27, 2008  11:19 AM ET

Look at that fat ****, Scioscia. Boy, he is fat. What a fatty. Go sit down, fatso. He looks like he ate another one of his players. Probably had Vlad cold with some pasta salad. Fat body McFatty.

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


The Si.com Cover Hub Go to the Cover Hub

Stub Hub

The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Agent: 'Extraordinary' interest in Bay
    Views
    4334
    Comments
    1887
  2. 2
    Vikings to consider L.A. move?
    Views
    61368
    Comments
    1872
  3. 3
    Mayo rebukes Bruschi's Belichick knock
    Views
    42460
    Comments
    251
  4. 4
    Can Iverson lure LeBron to Knicks?
    Views
    9335
    Comments
    175
  5. 5
    50 Cent's posse tussles with Marv Albert
    Views
    65441
    Comments
    130

Message Boards

  1. NBA > General NBA

    Iverson to the Cavaliers.
    Views
    277
    Replies
    1
  2. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Are college football coaches…
    Views
    264
    Replies
    49
  3. NFL > Pittsburgh Steelers

    Big Ben accepts Blame for loss…
    Views
    200
    Replies
    40

Blogs

SI.com

Swimsuit

SI Photos