Game Info
Date: Thursday, August 18th, 2005
First Pitch: 10:05pm ET
TV: NESN
Starting Pitchers:
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/5763.jpghttp://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/TALKSOX/VS.GIFhttp://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/4906.jpg
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/ana.gif#40 Bartolo Colon (15-6, 3.44)
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif#49 Tim Wakefield (12-9, 4.07)
Wake gets the ball in ALDS rematch
Red Sox (69-49) at Angels (69-50), 10:05 p.m. ET
The Red Sox are poised to open a four-game set against the Angels on Thursday, when they make their first visit to Angel Stadium since finishing off their sweep of the Halos in the American League Division Series last October. The way things are shaping up, the teams just might battle again this October.
The Red Sox are more concerned with the present, and trying to wash away the sour taste of losing two out of three to the Tigers in Detroit. Veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield gets the start in Thursday's series opener.
The Boston bats, which have produced five runs or more in the last nine games, will be challenged to keep that streak going against Angels ace Bartolo Colon.
Pitching matchup
BOS: RHP Tim Wakefield
• 12-9, 4.07 ERA in 2005
• Has not faced LAA in 2005
LAA: RHP Bartolo Colon
• 15-6, 3.44 ERA in 2005
• 1-0, 7.50 ERA vs. BOS in 2005
Player to watch
Center fielder Johnny Damon is a .386 career hitter against Colon, producing 17 hits -- including three doubles and two homers -- in 44 at-bats.
Quotable
"I thought Anaheim was our best opponent last year, and they're looking pretty good this year. It's going to be a good series. We need to go out there and just try to win. They're good, but so are we. We're the defending champs. We're in first place. We're going to continue to play very good baseball." -- Damon, on the upcoming series
Quick hits
David Ortiz has 12 hits in his last 24 at-bats, including three doubles, four homers and 14 RBIs. ... Angels outfielder Garret Anderson has five homers off Wakefield in 53 career at-bats. ... Vladimir Guerrero has had an equally productive feast off Wakefield, pounding four homers in 10 at-bats.
On deck
• Friday: at Angels, 10:05 p.m. ET
• Saturday: at Angels, 4:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: at Angels, 4:05 p.m. ET