Boston at Los Angeles

The Red Sox opened this series amid the talk of their domination of the Angels in the post-season, but that didn't work out very well in the opener as they dropped a 5-0 decision and were held to just four hits which is just one more hit than the error count for the Sox at three. Many were surprised not to see Josh Beckett on the mound as he is acclaimed to be the money pitcher in post-season, but that may say more in itself than we know. Beckett has really struggled. He opened the season allowing ten HR's in his first 22 starts, but then the roof fell in and he has served up 15 in just his last ten starts, which has been ugly. Beckett has a 6.02 ERA in his last ten starts. His post-season prowess took a major hit a year ago as he worked 14 innings, allowed 22 hits and pitched to an 8.79 ERA. Jerod Weaver in limited appearances actually has a better post-season ERA than Beckett. Speaking of Weaver, he is the owner of a 51-27 career record and pitched to an 0.66 ERA vs the Sox in two starts this season. The Sox have no outstanding numbers vs Weaver, but the Angel lineup is chock full of hitters that have had great success against Beckett. The worm has turned and the Angels get the call here.