Tuesday Playoff Baseball: Angels @ Whitesox

[Tinfish]

LA ANGELS @ CHICAGO WHITE SOX OVER 8.5

On the road to the World Series, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim never imagined they would have to cope with so much jet lag and sleep deprivation.

Happy to still be playing, the Angels meet the Chicago White Sox in the opening game of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday.

Thanks to Saturday's rainout in the AL Division Series, the Angels will have to play three games in three cities in roughly 51 hours, covering more than 4,500 miles.

After losing Game Four of the ALDS in New York on Sunday, the Angels rallied at home for a 5-3 victory over the Yankees on Monday to win the series.

Rookie Ervin Santana relieved injured starter Bartolo Colon, who left in the second inning with an injured shoulder, and worked 5 1/3 effective innings for the win. Garret Anderson belted a solo home run in the second after New York jumped to a 2-0 lead.

"We battled back ... and Santana came out of the pen and pitched a great game for us," Angels reliever Scot Shields said. "We're happy to make the trip to Chicago ... after a win like this."

Despite the victory, the Angels begin the ALCS with a depleted rotation. In addition to Colon, Sunday's original starter Jarrod Washburn has a throat infection and John Lackey worked 5 2/3 innings Sunday on short rest.

Manager Mike Scoiscia turns to Paul Byrd (12-11, 3.74), who has an opportunity for redemption after surrendering four runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings of Game Three in New York. He will work on three days rest.

"I will be ready to take the ball and it's a great feeling to start Game One," Byrd said. "I just want to try and get our team deep into the game to give us a chance to win."

Chicago should be well rested after sweeping the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, closing it out with a 5-3 victory at Fenway Park last Friday.

Winning the ALDS moved Chicago one step closer to capturing its first American League pennant since 1959. The White Sox have not won a World Series since 1917.

"Right now our minds are clear," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We're healthy. That's the most important thing. We've got to execute well. We've got to make things happen. Whoever pitches better and gets the clutch hitting, that's the team that's going to win."

The time off gave Guillen the chance to set up his rotation the way he wants it, meaning Jose Contreras (15-7, 3.61) will work his second consecutive series opener.

After winning his last eight starts in the regular season, Contreras allowed two runs and eight hits in 7 2/3 innings in Game One of the ALDS against Boston, striking out six without giving up a walk.

"I'm more proud that we made it to the second round and that my team had the opportunity to give me a chance to have another start," Contreras said. "I think I have as much confidence out of anyone out there. I'm proud of my teammates and hopefully we'll stick together and go all the way."

Coming off his second straight 40-homer season, Paul Konerko hit two against the Red Sox, despite batting .250 (3-for-12) in the three-game series. A.J. Pierzynski was 4-for-9 with two homers and two doubles.

The Angels won six of the 10 regular-season meetings against the White Sox and are playing them in the postseason for the first time.

NOTE:

The total has gone ‘OVER’ in five of the last six meetings and seven of Chicago’s last eight at home versus the Angels.

[fog_hat1981]

Good post.

Is the "Over" the same as the football "over" and if so how do you determine who is favored. Or... is baseball backasswards from football picks?

Oh, and good thing the A's aren't coming off of an 18 inning game either .

[Tinfish]

yeah the over under on this game is 8.5 runs.

I didnt post the favored line but it is Chicago -200. Meaning if you think the Whitesox are going to win, you will have to bet $200 to win $100.

If you think the Angels are going to win, the line is +185, meaning for every $100 you bet you get back $185 on an Angels victory.

[fog_hat1981]

Thanks bro - I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes on and I always appreciate you helping me out...