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Sox: Angels also may prefer to go with three starters

Posted by Tony Massarotti, Globe Staff  September 25, 2008 05:17 PM
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Red Sox followers may be debating whether to select Tim Wakefield or Paul Byrd as the Game 4 starter in the playoffs, but there are indications today that the Sox are preparing for the probability that they will need only three.

According to one voice in the Boston organization, the Sox expect the Los Angeles Angels to opt for a series start on Wednesday rather than Thursday, which would allow both clubs to get through the first round of the playoffs with just three starting pitchers, all operating on normal rest. That would allow the Sox to go with Josh Beckett (Games 1 and 4), Jon Lester (Games 2 and 5) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (Game 3) in the best-of-5 affair.

While many have assumed that the Angels would opt for a Thursday start – thereby eliminating one day off and necessitating the need for a fourth starter – the Angels would have their own reasons for starting the series on Wednesday. By doing so, Angels manager Mike Scioscia would have his entire bullpen at his disposal for virtually the entire series, exploiting one of Anaheim’s perceived strengths in the matchup with Boston. Angels relievers currently possess a 3.73 ERA that ranks just ahead of the Red Sox (3.81, sixth), but the Los Angeles bullpen is regarded as deeper and more consistent, particularly with the emergence of 24-year-old righthander Jose Arredondo (9-2, 1.54 ERA in 50 appearances).

Also, with the additional day off, Scioscia would be able to use righthander Scot Shields for more than one inning on multiple occasions during a five-game series. By starting the series on Wednesday, the Angels would ensure that there would off-days before Games 1, 2, 3 and 5. If the series were to start on Thursday, there would only be off-days before Games 1, 3 and 5.

As things stand, of course, the Angels have yet to wrap up the league’s best record and Tampa Bay has yet to clinch the American League East, leaving open the possibility that there still could be dramatic changes in the first-round matchups. Still, in recent days, the Sox have been preparing for the probability that they will face the Angels in the first round and that they could need only three starting pitchers.

The extra day off could benefit the Sox in other ways, too. If, in fact, the Sox only need three starters in the first round, they could easily get away with carrying just 10 pitchers. The extra spot on the roster could then go to a positional player given the health concerns over J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell.

Tony's Top 5

Memories from the Stanley Cup playoffs

5
Tyler Seguin's coming-out party. Game 2 against Tampa Bay, second period, two goals and two assists. Anyone else get the feeling it was the stuff of lore?
4
Nathan Horton's overtime heroics. Prior to Game 2 of the Final, the Bruins were 4-0 in OT. Horton had two of the game-winning goals and assisted on another.
3
Brad Marchand's short-handed rush. It was a 2-0 game in the second period of Game 2 when the Canucks went on the power play. Maybe the goal that altered the series.
2
Tim Thomas' grand theft. Game 2 in Philly, 54 shots, 52 saves. The Bruins won in overtime while the Flyers were changing goalioes as if they were underwear.
1
The Game 7s. Yep, all `of em. The win over Montreal, the win over Tampa Bay, the win over Vancouver. In the last two, the Bruins didn't allow a goal.
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Updated: Jun 22, 10:53 AM

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About Mazz

Tony Massarotti is a Globe sportswriter and has been writing about sports in Boston for the last 19 years. A lifelong Bostonian, Massarotti graduated from Waltham High School and Tufts University. He was voted the Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by his peers in 2000 and 2008 and has been a finalist for the award on several other occasions. This blog won a 2008 EPpy award for "Best Sports Blog".

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