Kazmir hopes his start is a walk in the park

Today’s starter, Scott Kazmir, has posted solid numbers - 6-4, 3.05 ERA - in Fenway Park, a place where he loves to pitch. (File/George Nikitin/Associated Press
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By Peter Abraham

Globe Staff / October 11, 2009

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ANAHEIM, Calif. - The season had more than a month remaining when Scott Kazmir unexpectedly was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the first-place Los Angeles Angels Aug. 28. But a glance at the standings provided all the explanation he needed.

The Yankees had the best record in baseball, with the Red Sox in firm control of the wild-card race. Kazmir had a pretty good idea his new club would meet up with Boston in the Division Series and that his job would be to make a start at Fenway Park.

“In some ways, I’ve been getting ready for this start for a few weeks now,’’ said Kazmir, who will face Clay Buchholz and the desperate Red Sox today in Game 3, with Los Angeles holding a 2-0 lead. “It has been in the back of my mind since the trade, and now it’s here.’’

For some pitchers, that would be an uncomfortable thought. But Kazmir relishes the challenge. Though the lefthander has never worn the uniform of the home team there, Fenway Park is one of his favorite places to pitch.

“I love being on the big stage,’’ he said. “I really just get amped up for games like that, where you have a crowd just all over you and just kind of being in a territory that you’re really not comfortable in.’’

On Sept. 14, 2004, at Fenway, a 20-year-old Kazmir faced Pedro Martinez and a lineup that would go on to win the World Series. He threw six shutout innings for the Rays and at one point struck out five batters in a row, including Johnny Damon, David Ortiz, and Manny Ramirez.

“It was one of my favorite moments as a player,’’ Kazmir said late Friday night after the Angels beat the Red Sox, 4-1. “It was one of the first few games of my career, and I beat Pedro in that atmosphere. That game meant a lot to me at the time and still does. It gives me confidence every time I pitch there.’’

Kazmir is 6-4 with a 3.05 ERA in 13 career starts at Fenway, all for Tampa Bay. He is 8-7 with a 3.59 ERA overall against the Red Sox.

“His first couple of outings against us were borderline overwhelming,’’ Sox manager Terry Francona said. “I mean velocity, slider. We had some horrible numbers against him. So he’s good. He’s been good for a long time.’’

Kazmir has averaged 9.31 strikeouts per nine innings in his career. Among active pitchers, only Randy Johnson, Kerry Wood, and Martinez have a higher average. But his numbers declined in recent seasons as Kazmir lost some velocity and faith in his slider.

Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher, who worked with Kazmir in 2006 in Tampa Bay, helped reverse that, and Kazmir had a 1.73 ERA in six starts after the trade.

The Red Sox, who last faced Kazmir May 9, have noticed the difference.

“From what we’ve seen and the video we’ve watched, he’s a lot better than he was early on when we faced him,’’ left fielder Jason Bay said. “His slider and his velocity are much better.’’

Kazmir faced the Red Sox twice in the American League Championship Series last fall. He pitched poorly in Game 2 at Tropicana Field, giving up five runs as Dustin Pedroia homered twice against him. Kazmir left with the score tied, 5-5, in the fifth inning, then watched the Rays come back to win in the 11th.

Game 5 at Fenway was the reverse for Kazmir, as he threw six shutout innings only to look on in disbelief as Boston scored eight runs in the final three innings to send the series back to Florida.

Now he gets the Sox again, this time after teammates John Lackey and Jered Weaver shut Boston down in the first two games of the series. They combined to allow one run on six hits over 14 2/3 innings.

Kazmir went to school on those two starts.

“I have my game plan on what I want to do, but at the same time, I watch them, watch their approach to certain hitters and just see how they react,’’ he said. “No matter what, no matter if it’s lefty or righty, attacking the strike zone, and throwing certain pitches in certain counts is effective.’’

Kazmir is signed through 2011, and the Angels gave up three of their better prospects to get him. The trade wasn’t made for just this one game, a point manager Mike Scioscia has made several times.

“We thought he had a high ceiling,’’ Scioscia said. “It was a good move for us regardless.’’

But a pitcher with a history of success against the Red Sox will take the ball knowing his new team is a win away from the ALCS. For the Angels, it’s about perfect.

“There’s no pressure,’’ Kazmir said. “I’ve been waiting for this game a long time. Now I get to go pitch it.’’