Josh Beckett (12-10, 4.03 ERA )Terry Francona made it official today; Josh Beckett is the Game 3 starter.
“He’s pitching,” manager Terry Francona said before the Red Sox [team stats]’ 7-5 win over the Angels in Game 2 last night. “I think we kind of needed to go about it the way we did. Rather than hold him down and hope, I think we needed to let him go - rather than pitch today and hoping.
“His week was important to him - the long-toss, the side. He threw a 67-pitch side, which is pretty extensive. He needs to know in his head, in his mind, that he can go out and do what he needs to do to win. And now he does, so I think we all feel better about it.”
Josh is 2-2 with a 3.99 ERA against the Halos in his career. The last time he saw the Angels was on July 19th (my B-day!) but despite fighting through 8 innings, Beckett gave up 4 runs on 8 hits and took the loss. But that was in July.
Beckett was cruising through September looking ready to kick ass an take names through the payoffs before coming back to earth in his regular season finale - a 3-4 loss to Cleveland. But over all the numbers were exciting: just under 6 K's per game, a 2.16 ERA and .096 WHIP that proved the Commander was in complete command.
Th oblique injury is a concern, but with Beckett feeling healthy and confident, the Sox are primed for yet another sweep of the Angels... and you know it's in their heads.
Joe Saunders (17-7, 3.41 ERA)
The Halos will look to Saunders to keep stop the bleeding. And he may be just the guy to do it. In six starts, the southpaw is 4-0 with a 2.89 ERA against Boston. Saunders faced the Red Sox twice back in July and held them to 2 runs in both matchups while lasting 6+ innings each time.
Saunders was also solid down the stretch while Lackey and Santana struggled in their final outings... he went 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA and 24 Ks in 33.2 September innings.
Saunders looks like he has the stuff to keep the Angels alive, but here's a fun factoid that could even the playing field: The Boston Red Sox are batting an MLB best .294 against lefties this season. And Jason Bay, who already has 2 homers in the ALDS is leading the team with a .362 BA against southpaws.
Bottom Line: I've got my broom ready, do you?
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