Anaheim Angels v. Boston Red Sox
Fenway Park, Boston, MA
The Red Sox (64-33, .660) return from the All Star break refreshed, looking to capitalize against the Anaheim Angels, who have struggled this season. Picked to be a contender in the AL West, the Angels are 46-49 (.484), 5.5 games behind the Texas Rangers (52-44, .542). The Angels are currently 10.5 behind New York in the Wild Card race.
Injuries have been a key part of the Angels' struggles. Kelvim Escobar has missed the entire season, Francisco Rodriguez missed eight weeks with a strained back muscle and Jeff Weaver has made two visits to the disabled list with a strained Achilles tendon and an inguinal hernia. #1 starter John Lackey has a respectable 6-3 record in 13 starts, but his 2.69 ERA is deceptive as opponents are batting .308 on balls put into play against the veteran. Jon Garland, in his first season with the Angels, is just 4-10 with a .495 ERA and Japanese import Fumiya Nishiguchi is 2-6 with a 5.50 ERA. One bright spot has been Ervin Santana. The 25 year old has seemed to have put together his potential, as he has emerged as a Cy Young candidate with a 10-2 record to go along with a 2.33 ERA and 124/27 K/BB ratio.
Offensively, the Angels are led by the duo of Vladimir Guerrero (.278, 15 HRs, 62 RBIs) and Chone Figgins (.310, 5 HRs, 31 RBIs, 60 Rs). But, regulars Mike Napoli (.178, 9 HRs, 25 RBIs), Kendry Morales (.215, 2, 15), and Torri Hunter (.221, 7, 29, .253 obp) have not helped matters for the Angels. Overall, the team's .267 batting average ranks 7th in the AL.
The Red Sox enter the series coming off taking two of three against the Orioles before the All Star break.
Pitching Matchups:
7/18: Josh Beckett (9-4, 3.68 ERA) v. John Lackey (6-4, 2.80)
7/19: Daisuke Matsuzaka (12-5, 3.50) v. Jon Garland (4-10, 4.96)
7/20: Tim Wakefield (10-6, 4.05) v. Ervin Santana (10-2, 2.33)
Against the Red Sox this season, Anaheim is 1-2.