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The Line:
BOS:-125 9.0 o 100
ANA: +115 9.0 u -120
Pitchers:
P.Martinez (R) 16-9 3.90 ERA
B.Colon (R) 18-12 5.01 ERA
Trends:
• Under is 7-3 in Meals' last 10 BHP vs ANA.
• BOS has lost Martinez' last four starts.
• Red Sox are 8-2 in their last 10 overall.
• Angels are 7-3 in Colon's last 10 starts.
• Anaheim is 7-3 in their last 10 overall.
• Home team is 11-3 in the last 14 meetings.
Notes:
Pedro Martinez can go a long way toward putting a dismal September behind him and give the Boston Red Sox a commanding lead in the AL division series when he faces the Anaheim Angels in Game 2.
After watching Curt Schilling slow Anaheim's lineup in a series-opening 9-3 win Tuesday, Martinez will be looking to halt a personal four-start losing streak -- a skid that made it easy for manager Terry Francona to start Schilling in Game 1.
Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and Boston's staff ace for the previous six seasons, is anxious to begin with a fresh slate in October.
``I'm not concerned at all,'' he said after allowing six runs and 10 hits over five innings in last Wednesday's 9-4 loss at Tampa Bay. ``I would like the results to be better, but I'm healthy and I feel great. I just have to continue to pitch and work hard. Hopefully in the playoffs, it will be different.''
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Francona is also confident in Martinez's ability to turn it on in the postseason.
``I can't tell you how excited I will be to hand him the ball,'' Francona said. ``I think there is a little more gamesmanship there with Pedro than maybe people realize. I think people that know him probably understand that. I don't think his confidence is going to be down going into that game.''
Despite all the optimism, Martinez didn't just lose his last four starts. He was pounded for 21 runs and 30 hits over 23 1-3 innings during the skid, dropping a pair of crucial games to the New York Yankees that likely cost Boston any chance of winning the AL East.
Yet, Boston leadoff hitter Johnny Damon still believes Pedro will be bounce back Wednesday night.
``You know, I think he is just playing coy maybe, but he is going to be ready to pitch,'' Damon said. ``He is acting like he doesn't have much left in the tank but he has been great down there in the clubhouse. He has been talking. He has been having fun. And he is going to be ready to pitch.''
Martinez will have the added burden of trying to outduel fellow Dominican right-hander Bartolo Colon.
Colon, signed as a free agent this past offseason to lead Anaheim's rotation, has emerged as one of the AL's top pitchers in the second half. After managing just five victories in 13 decisions prior to the All-Star break, Colon went 13-4 over his final 17 starts, including Friday's 10-0 victory over Oakland which helped propel Anaheim to the AL West title.
``Pedro and I talk during the offseason, we are close,'' Colon said. ``He is one of my favorite pitchers to watch. And he is a guy who has always spoken to me about pitching. He has motivated me with his words and the way he speaks to me about approaching the game.
``But I am not going to worry about Pedro. I'm going to worry about the batters.''
Colon will have plenty to worry about.
Kevin Millar and Manny Ramirez homered during Boston's seven-run, fourth-inning outburst Tuesday as Boston stole home-field advantage from Anaheim. Damon, Ramirez and Millar had two hits apiece as the Red Sox handed the Angels their fourth straight playoff series-opening loss.
The Angels dropped the opener in each of their three series en route to the world title in 2002.
``Hopefully we can bounce back like we did then,'' Tuesday's losing pitcher Jarrod Washburn said.
Troy Glaus and Darin Erstad each homered and had three hits for the Angels, who have lost five straight to Boston dating to the regular season.
Schilling knows it won't be easy to take the first two in Anaheim, but he's going to enjoy watching Wednesday's duel.
``We're up 1-0. Tomorrow's starters will determine momentum going into the game,'' he said. ``This is a tough place to win. But we've got Pedro going. I'm pretty excited about that.''
ANALYSIS:
Colon has won 8 of his last 12, He allowed four hits in eight innings and three hits in seven innings in his final two starts of the season. he had his ups and downs due to ankle problems which have since been corrected, i.e. his recent success. Pedro hasn't been anything special for the sox. The 32-year-old right-hander is coming off four straight losses, two each to the Yankees and Devil Rays. It was one of the most difficult stretches for Martinez since he broke into the Major Leagues with the Dodgers. bottome line is he hasn't gotten the job done. if the angels win any game in this series, why not this one, with their hottest pitcher going against pedro in a tailspin. I'll take the home dog for sure. I'll take the under here as well. Colon is 2-2 with a 3.29 ERA and 31 strikeouts in six playoff starts. He went 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA in the AL Championship Series against the Yankees while with Cleveland in 1999. and if pedro is on, no one is crossing home plate that often. i mean is there really a problem taking the under with these two on the hill in a playoff game? I have to.
Angels and Under 9
BOS:-125 9.0 o 100
ANA: +115 9.0 u -120
Pitchers:
P.Martinez (R) 16-9 3.90 ERA
B.Colon (R) 18-12 5.01 ERA
Trends:
• Under is 7-3 in Meals' last 10 BHP vs ANA.
• BOS has lost Martinez' last four starts.
• Red Sox are 8-2 in their last 10 overall.
• Angels are 7-3 in Colon's last 10 starts.
• Anaheim is 7-3 in their last 10 overall.
• Home team is 11-3 in the last 14 meetings.
Notes:
Pedro Martinez can go a long way toward putting a dismal September behind him and give the Boston Red Sox a commanding lead in the AL division series when he faces the Anaheim Angels in Game 2.
After watching Curt Schilling slow Anaheim's lineup in a series-opening 9-3 win Tuesday, Martinez will be looking to halt a personal four-start losing streak -- a skid that made it easy for manager Terry Francona to start Schilling in Game 1.
Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and Boston's staff ace for the previous six seasons, is anxious to begin with a fresh slate in October.
``I'm not concerned at all,'' he said after allowing six runs and 10 hits over five innings in last Wednesday's 9-4 loss at Tampa Bay. ``I would like the results to be better, but I'm healthy and I feel great. I just have to continue to pitch and work hard. Hopefully in the playoffs, it will be different.''
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Francona is also confident in Martinez's ability to turn it on in the postseason.
``I can't tell you how excited I will be to hand him the ball,'' Francona said. ``I think there is a little more gamesmanship there with Pedro than maybe people realize. I think people that know him probably understand that. I don't think his confidence is going to be down going into that game.''
Despite all the optimism, Martinez didn't just lose his last four starts. He was pounded for 21 runs and 30 hits over 23 1-3 innings during the skid, dropping a pair of crucial games to the New York Yankees that likely cost Boston any chance of winning the AL East.
Yet, Boston leadoff hitter Johnny Damon still believes Pedro will be bounce back Wednesday night.
``You know, I think he is just playing coy maybe, but he is going to be ready to pitch,'' Damon said. ``He is acting like he doesn't have much left in the tank but he has been great down there in the clubhouse. He has been talking. He has been having fun. And he is going to be ready to pitch.''
Martinez will have the added burden of trying to outduel fellow Dominican right-hander Bartolo Colon.
Colon, signed as a free agent this past offseason to lead Anaheim's rotation, has emerged as one of the AL's top pitchers in the second half. After managing just five victories in 13 decisions prior to the All-Star break, Colon went 13-4 over his final 17 starts, including Friday's 10-0 victory over Oakland which helped propel Anaheim to the AL West title.
``Pedro and I talk during the offseason, we are close,'' Colon said. ``He is one of my favorite pitchers to watch. And he is a guy who has always spoken to me about pitching. He has motivated me with his words and the way he speaks to me about approaching the game.
``But I am not going to worry about Pedro. I'm going to worry about the batters.''
Colon will have plenty to worry about.
Kevin Millar and Manny Ramirez homered during Boston's seven-run, fourth-inning outburst Tuesday as Boston stole home-field advantage from Anaheim. Damon, Ramirez and Millar had two hits apiece as the Red Sox handed the Angels their fourth straight playoff series-opening loss.
The Angels dropped the opener in each of their three series en route to the world title in 2002.
``Hopefully we can bounce back like we did then,'' Tuesday's losing pitcher Jarrod Washburn said.
Troy Glaus and Darin Erstad each homered and had three hits for the Angels, who have lost five straight to Boston dating to the regular season.
Schilling knows it won't be easy to take the first two in Anaheim, but he's going to enjoy watching Wednesday's duel.
``We're up 1-0. Tomorrow's starters will determine momentum going into the game,'' he said. ``This is a tough place to win. But we've got Pedro going. I'm pretty excited about that.''
ANALYSIS:
Colon has won 8 of his last 12, He allowed four hits in eight innings and three hits in seven innings in his final two starts of the season. he had his ups and downs due to ankle problems which have since been corrected, i.e. his recent success. Pedro hasn't been anything special for the sox. The 32-year-old right-hander is coming off four straight losses, two each to the Yankees and Devil Rays. It was one of the most difficult stretches for Martinez since he broke into the Major Leagues with the Dodgers. bottome line is he hasn't gotten the job done. if the angels win any game in this series, why not this one, with their hottest pitcher going against pedro in a tailspin. I'll take the home dog for sure. I'll take the under here as well. Colon is 2-2 with a 3.29 ERA and 31 strikeouts in six playoff starts. He went 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA in the AL Championship Series against the Yankees while with Cleveland in 1999. and if pedro is on, no one is crossing home plate that often. i mean is there really a problem taking the under with these two on the hill in a playoff game? I have to.
Angels and Under 9
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