ALDS Game 2: Angels vs Red Sox

It's Game 2 time. Angels dropped the first one to the BoSox 4-1, giving Boston a 1-0 lead in the best of five series.
What I would like to see is a Chicago series, with the White Sox taking it. What I believe is a little different. I would think that the winner of the Angels/Red Sox series is the team to go to the series in the AL. And I think the winner of the Cubs/Dodgers series would represent the NL. AL wins the series.

Why? Well, the Brewers won't go due to CC Sabathia. He can't start every game, although they are definitely trying. The Phillies are just the Phillies. I just can't see the Phillies going. The Tampa Bay Rays are still wet behind the ears. They're more of a candidate over the next several seasons, but it is too early for them now. The inexperience will catch up with them. The White Sox will have fatigue get them. It could be in the ALCS or in this series, but it will catch up with them.
Red Sox: The right-hander turned in a terrific second season, finishing much stronger than in his rookie year, when fatigue took an obvious toll. In 13 starts after the All-Star break, Matsuzaka went 8-2. All year long, the righty dominated on the road, going 9-0 with a 2.37 ERA. His only start of the season against the Angels occurred at Fenway Park on July 28, when Matsuzaka gave up seven hits and six runs. Matsuzaka recorded 154 strikeouts over 167 2/3 innings, giving up 128 hits. Lack of control was an issue, as evidenced by 94 walks. In four postseason starts last year, Matsuzaka went 2-1 with a 5.03 ERA. The wins came in the highest of stakes -? Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Indians and Game 3 of the World Series at Colorado.

Dice K has only one start in his career against the Angels and is 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA. He went five innings giving up six runs off of seven hits and two walks, striking out only three while handing out two HRs. He went 18-3 this season with a 2.90 ERA. His last four starts, he only hit the six inning mark once. The Red Sox were 2-2 in those four games. Torii Hunter leads the BoSox in batting against Dice with a 2-7 mark with a HR and 3 RBIs.

Angels: Like John Lackey, Santana also struggled in his final start of the season as he allowed a season-worst eight runs over 5 2/3 innings on Saturday against the Rangers. Again, it wasn't like the usual Santana, who has turned it around this season after spending some of last season in the Minor Leagues. Santana was an All-Star this season and struck out 214 batters, which is the most by an Angels pitcher since Chuck Finley struck out 215 in 1996. Santana is 1-2 with a 5.73 ERA against the Red Sox in four career starts but didn't face Boston this year.

Santana hasn't faced the Red Sox this season. In his career, he is 1-2 with a 5.73 ERA (mentioned above) that stretches over 22 innings of work, giving up 16 runs (14 earned) off of 21 hits (2 for HRs) and 7 walks. The Sox bat him for a .247 BA and his WHIP is 1.27 against them. His last start was a loss to the Rangers, where he gave up 10 hits in 5.2 innings. He struck out 5 while issuing 10 hits, a walk, and 8 runs. The Angels are 2-2 in his last four starts.

Santana finished the season with a 16-7 record and a 3.49 ERA.

Sox to Watch:

• Mark Kotsay: 7-18 (.389 BA) with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs
• Julio Lugo: 5-14 (.357 BA) with 3 doubles, a triple, and a RBI
• David Ortiz: 5-9 (.556 BA) with 2 doubles, a HR, and 3 RBIs

The roster is currently 26-77 (.338 BA) with 13 doubles, 2 triples, a HR, and 11 RBIs.

Forecast: Both teams look good in this one. I like the BoSox for this game, due to them have good success against Santana. I don't think both starters will last seven innings, and I am not sure they will even last six in this one. I think this one is going to be a high scoring affair. Red Sox take it to a 2-0 lead in the series with a score of 9-7.

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