Lackey remains among the Angels franchise leaders in several pitching categories after leading the staff for the bulk of his eight years there.
The righty will look to build upon a very encouraging stretch for Boston’s starting rotation. In the past five starts, including Lackey’s gem in Seattle last week, the staff has posted a 1.83 ERA.
Clay Buchholz‘s effort in the opener Monday was the latest such effort. He allowed a run in seven innings in the Red Sox’ 6-3 win.
WHEN AND WHERE
Red Sox (56-44) at Angels (52-50)Tuesday, July 27, 10:05 p.m.
Angel Stadium, Anaheim, Calif.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sox are 4-9 in Anaheim since 2007.PITCHING MATCHUP
RHP John Lackey (9-5, 4.36 ERA) vs. RHP Jered Weaver (9-6, 3.22 ERA)When Lackey was asked what it would be like facing the Angels for the first time back in May at Fenway Park, he insisted he had few emotions. He just wanted to win.
It might be a bit different when he faces them back in Angels Stadium, where Lackey is 49-32 in his career.
Should emotions become an issue, Lackey can look to his recent success to carry him through. He has a 1.20 ERA in two starts since the All-Star break and has pitched at least seven innings in four of his last five outings. He even flirted with a no-hitter five days ago in Seattle.
Lackey yielded just a run and two hits in a 3-1 win over Los Angeles on May 5 at home.
Weaver learned some of the tools of the trade from Lackey, and it is paying off with the best season of his career. Weaver leads the AL with 147 strikeouts and is tied for fourth with a 1.09 WHIP.
In eight starts vs. Boston, Weaver is 2-2 with a 3.99 ERA.
LINEUPS
| Red Sox | Angels |
|---|---|
| Marco Scutaro, SS J.D. Drew, RF Kevin Youkilis, 1B David Ortiz, DH Victor Martinez, C Adrian Beltre, 3B Jed Lowrie, 2B Mike Cameron, CF Jeremy Hermida, LF | Maicer Izturis, SS Alberto Callaspo, 3B Bobby Abreu, RF Torii Hunter, CF Hideki Matsui, DH Mike Napoli, 1B Howard Kendrick, 2B Juan Rivera, LF Jeff Mathis, C |
STAT SHEET
Red Sox- Designated hitter David Ortiz has three home runs in his last three games after going nine games without even one extra-base hit.
- First baseman Kevin Youkilis is 14-for-32 (.438) during a seven-game hitting streak.
- Boston is 5-0 against Los Angeles this year.
Angels
- Designated hitter Hideki Matsui has four homers in his last six games.
- Right fielder Bobby Abreu his gone 10 games without a multiple-hit effort.
- Despite going 0-for-4 on Monday, center fielder Torii Hunter is a career .315 (85-for-269) against the Red Sox.
BLACK AND BLUE
Red Sox- Second baseman Dustin Pedroia (broken left foot) has started to swing and perform strengthening exercises. He also did some light running on Monday. There is no exact date for his return but he is progressing well.
- Catcher Jason Varitek remains on crutches and is a couple of weeks behind Pedroia in terms of his recovery from a broken left foot.
- Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury went 1-for-3 in his first rehab game with the club’s Gulf Coast League affiliate. He will play a few games there before moving up to Portland or Pawtucket to continue his recovery from a broken rib.
- Mike Lowell is 5-for-14 with three doubles and two RBIs in three rehab games at Pawtucket. He is expected to play a few more games with the PawSox while recovering from right hip pain. Terry Francona said Lowell could be activated by Friday.
- Righty Junichi Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.
Angels
- Lefty Scott Kazmir is on the DL with shoulder fatigue. An MRI showed no structural damage.
- Right-handed reliever Jason Bulger has been sidelined with a strained right shoulder since early June.
- Fellow righty Brian Stokes is also out with shoulder issues. He had a rehab assignment shut down in early June and has only played catch this month.
- Right-hander Matt Palmer began a rehab assignment in the Arizona League on July 12. He is on the DL with a sprained right shoulder.
- First baseman Kendry Morales is out for the year with a broken left leg.
OUTLOOK
All eyes will be on Lackey when he steps onto a mound he became very familiar with over the years. Throughout those great seasons in Anaheim, he established himself as not only a big-game pitcher but also one who shines in the second half of the season.Lackey can reaffirm both reputations with a solid effort in this one.
