The game of the day is a new segment for us at Baseball Instinct. We have enjoyed doing it and will continue to do so. Originally, we were going to do the Tigers and Rangers today, however due to the Nick Adenhart tragedy, we have decided the Red Sox traveling to Anaheim to take on the Los Angeles Angels was more fitting. On Tuesday, I had posted the Angels and A’s as the game of the day. I wrote that Nick Adenhart was the Angels pitcher to keep an eye on. On Wednesday night I wrote about his performance only to wake up Thursday to 20 text messages on my blackberry about him being killed senselessly. I’m not one to preach to the masses, but we need to redirect some of our “homeland security” funds to stopping the real terrorist to our country; those who get behind the wheel of a car drunk.
TV: NESN – throughout New England,KCOP and FSW – in Southern California, On the Net – MLB.tv
Radio: Angels - KFWB, KWKW 1330, 710 ESPN Radio Los Angeles, 830 KLAA of Orange. Redsox - WRKO 680, SBN 1150 and the Red Sox Radio Network. As always you can catch all games on MLB Game Day Audio.
Here’s a closer fantasy look at the game of the day!
Probable Red Sox starting pitcher: RHP Tim Wakefield (10-11, 4.13 ERA in 2008)
The 42-year-old knuckleballer, who decided to return for his 15th season with the Red Sox (1-2) had his lowest ERA since 2003 – last year. Wakefield did take on the Angels in the ALDS, however he did lose to them 5-3 in Anaheim on July 20, 2008.
Wakefield has not faired well in Southern California as of late. He has dropped his last four starts at Angel Stadium, where he has not won since 2002, posting a 9.78 ERA in those outings. Los Angeles slugger Vladimir Guerrero is 8-for-19 (.421) with five homers against him.
Probable Angels starting pitcher: RHP Jered Weaver (11-10, 4.33 ERA in 2008)
Weaver will be asked to do what no human should – Take the ball and pitch tough against the Boston Red Sox less than 48 hours after rotation-mate Nick Adenhart was killed in a hit-and-run car accident.
From the Sports Network - Weaver, a first-round draft choice of Anaheim in 2004, went 11-2 in 19 starts as a rookie in 2006 and won 13 games for the Angels the following year, took a slight step backward last season. The 26-year-old finished with an 11-10 record and a 4.33 earned run average in 30 starts for the AL West champions, while striking out 152 batters in 176 2/3 innings.
The right-hander was 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in two starts against Boston in 2008, but did earn the victory with two scoreless innings of relief in Anaheim’s 5-4 decision over the Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALDS. In six regular-season outings versus Boston, Weaver is 1-2 with a 5.35 ERA.
Fantasy pitching studs for the Red Sox: SP Josh Beckett, SP Jon Lester, and Closer Jonathan Papelbon. SP Dice-k could be a stud, but realistically he is better suited for a low end #2 or middle of your fantasy rotation, he struggled his 1st time out against the Rays, posting a 6.75 era in 5 innings pitched. Josh Beckett was awesome his 1st game of the season, going 7 innings and striking out 10.
Who’s hot: SP Josh Beckett was awesome his 1st game of the season, going 7 innings and striking out 10.
Worth keeping an eye on: RP Manny Delcarmen. If something happens to Papelbon, It’s likely Delcarmen that the Sox would turn to in the 9th inning – Not Saito.
Fantasy pitching studs for the Angels: As I mentioned earlier in the week, when healthy SP John Lackey, SP Ervin Santana, and SP Kelvim Escobar are NOT elite sp’s. However they are just a notch down and pretty effective. SP Jered Weaver is on the rise and could be the ace of the group this season. Brian Fuentes has yet to impress anyone.
Worth keeping an eye on: RP Manny Delcarmen. If something happens to Papelbon, It’s likely Delcarmen that the Sox would turn to in the 9th inning – Not Saito.
Fantasy Players to just stay away from: Bos - RP Hideki Okajima. He’s having some serious control issues and is no longer the set-up man. I wonder how much longer he will infact have a job. LAA – SS Erick Ayabar. He is 0 for 8 on the season and really isn’t a very pormising option at ss/mi in any league. Leave this slap hitter for someone else to deal with.
WHAT’S NEW: Sadly, The death of Nick Adenhart is what’s new, and it’s going to stick with the Angels all season. I think most of us have become defacto Angels fans for the season. It would be truly inspiring if they pulled it alltogether and won the world series for Nick.
KEY STAT: Both the Red Sox and Angels have lost 2 games in a row. The Red Sox are 4-6 in the last 10 games on Fridays, and 3-7 after playing Tampa Bay. The Angels are 7-3 in the last 10 games on Fridays, and 6-4 after playing Oakland.
CONNECTIONS: Angels RP Darren Oliver played for the Red Sox in 2002. Oliver also played with Red Sox SP Josh Beckett and 3B Mike Lowell on the 2004 Florida Marlins. Red Sox C Jason Varitek and Angels RP Brian Fuentes were both drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1994 and 1995. They played in the Mariners minor league system in 1995 and 1996.
