Sox: Angels also may prefer to go with three starters

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.