Boston Red Sox – Los Angeles Angels Series Preview
The Red Sox look to turn their first road win of the season into the start of a streak against the Angels.
The bullpen played a big role in the win.
Boston can trot out 3 power arms in a row – bullpen depth that only the Yankees can match.
Look for the back-end of the bullpen to be a big factor over the season.
Angels Pop Quiz
Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan threw 4 no-hitters for the Angels but does not hold the team record for most wins. Who does hold the record?
Angels Fast Facts
Boston caught a break by dodging the MLB’s first five-game winner Jered Weaver in the 4 game series. Weaver threw another strong game yesterday. However, the Sox will face Dan Haren (4-0, 1.16 ERA) in a great game 2 match-up against Jon Lester.
With Kendrys Morales on the DL, and Torii Hunter and Vernon Wells off to slow starts, the Angels are getting offense from unexpected places.
The Angels had a quick trigger on Fernando Rodney – turning over the closer role to Jordan Walden, who is lighting up the radar gun by averaging 98 MPH with his pitches.
The Angels have given up on former can’t miss prospect Brandon Wood. Lyle Spencer expects some MLB team will give Wood a second chance to unlock his talent – with the Padres and Diamondbacks possible targets. The Wood move was made so SS Eric Aybar could return to the active roster from the DL.
The Angels current top prospect Mike Trout is off to a fast start in AA.
Red Sox Update
- Gordon Edes shared this Red Sox scouting report with his ESPN Los Angeles colleague Mark Saxon.
- Tim Britton provides his series preview.
- Jed Lowrie is in elite offensive company since his return to the team from the DL last July.
- Series opening game starter Josh Beckett is focused on the future. He asks, “How many starts do we have to go and then we forget about last year? I know I stunk last year. We all know that. I think maybe we need to move forward a little bit.”
- A tough first game back in the Bigs for Hideki Okajima. Don’t expect the Sox to give him too many chances to reprove himself before they make another move. I see Rich Hill next on the list.
- Peter Gammons says the clock is ticking on Jarrod Saltalamacchia with his defensive woes potentially forcing the Red Sox to make a move in the coming weeks. The problem is there aren’t a lot of options. Peter Abraham sees one possibility being Bengie Molina.
- The Red Sox unveiled plans to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Fenway Park. Part of the plan may be a change in how Boston’s retired numbers are displayed.
- Sox Prospects players of the week – both at Greenville – 1B Miles Head and P Chris Balcom-Miller.
Pop Quiz Answer
Chuck Finley is the leader with 165 wins (Ryan is second at 138). Finley is #2 for the Angels in K’s with 2151 with Ryan the leader at 2416.
Albie Jarvis
