Jered Weaver gets the call to start for the Angels on Tuesday night.
The Boston Red Sox always seem to have trouble on the road against the AL West. This year is no exception as they face the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night in the middle game of a three-game set.
The Red Sox (55-44) haven’t been above .500 at the AL West since 2004 (see chart below). They’re 3-4 on this tough 10-game trip that started with Oakland and Seattle. The Monday night opener with Los Angeles is still pending.
Guaranteed MLB Picks
Injuries have been a big reason for Boston’s recent struggles. Starting second baseman Dustin Pedroia (foot), catcher Victor Martinez (thumb) and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) have all been out. Backup catcher Jason Varitek (foot) is also sidelined.
Martinez was expected back in the lineup on Monday. That’s a big boost as the backstop combo of Kevin Cash and Dusty Brown wasn’t getting the job done offensively. Pedroia is one of the inspirational leaders and Boston is 11-13 since he went out (44-31 before).
The Angels (52-49) are coming off a humbling trip in Texas. They lost three of four, scoring three runs per game, and are now seven games back of the Rangers in the division.
Los Angeles can take comfort that its 18-10 in its last 28 home games, winning seven of nine home series. The team opened up the second half at home by taking three of four versus Seattle.
The Angels also made a bold recent move by acquiring pitcher Dan Haren from Arizona. Lefty Joe Saunders and prospects went to the Diamondbacks. L.A. definitely got the better of that deal.
Haren had little time for a meet-n-greet with his new teammates before drawing the Monday night start against Boston. Monday was Haren's normal day to pitch.
Tuesday will find Jered Weaver (9-6, 3.22 ERA) taking the hill for Game 2 of the series. He’s been a workhorse this season, going at least six innings in 12 straight starts and 19 of 21 overall.
The 27-year-old righty has a huge ERA discrepancy at home (1.80) versus away (4.38). His ERA was almost two runs lower last year at home (2.90) versus away (4.78). Weaver has nine quality home starts in as many tries, with the ‘under’ going 8-0-1.
Weaver hasn’t faced the Red Sox this year. Last season, he had three home starts against them (one in the playoffs), going 2-0 with a minuscule .86 ERA.
Baseball Betting Odds
Former Angel John Lackey will go for Boston. He was lured away this past offseason with a huge free agent deal. He hasn’t lived up to the contract yet (9-5, 4.36 ERA), but he did have a great start at Seattle last Thursday, eight shutout innings and just two hits allowed.
The 31-year-old righty is one of the best pitchers in Angels’ history. He spent eight seasons with them, averaging almost 13 wins. He also had some great postseason moments like winning Game 7 of the 2002 World Series.
Lackey made his only start against the Angels on May 5. He allowed one run over seven innings in a 3-1 home win. It will be an emotional night making his first start in L.A.
Boston swept a four-game home series with the Angels in May. The Angels have won the last four in Los Angeles, including two in the playoffs last year on the way to a sweep. The ‘under’ is 4-1 in the last five meetings in L.A.
First pitch on Tuesday is 7:05 p.m. (PT). Weather should be clear and in the upper 60s.
Boston Red Sox at AL West opponents:
- 2010: 3-4 so far
- 2009: 4-8
- 2008: 6-8
- 2007: 4-9
- 2006: 5-10
- 2005: 4-6
- 2004: 8-7