ANAHEIM, Calif. — Angels manager Mike Scioscia made his decision today: lefty Joe Saunders and his power sinker will start Game 2 at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.
“There’s a lot of things that went into it, but I don’t think it was a tough decision. We just wanted to evaluate a couple of things,” Scioscia said. “I think it makes sense for Joe to pitch Game 2 in that ballpark. Joe has the tools to pitch in that stadium. Joe’s had a terrific year for us and we’re confident when he’s out there pitching.”
The Angels rotation lines up this way: John Lackey for Game 1 Friday, Saunders Game 2. Then when the ALCS switches to the Big A, Jered Weaver will start Game 3 and ex-Met Scott Kazmir will go in Game 4.
“It’s a fun atmosphere, for sure,” Lackey said. “It’s the same as the last round. It helps to win the first game, but the importance is probably a little bit less in a seven-game series, especially being on the road. It’ll be a challenge the whole series. They’re a great team.”
If there is a Game 5, Scioscia will go back to Lackey. He did not announce his plans for the final two games, but Weaver will get one of those starts.
Starting Saunders over Weaver in Game 2 makes perfect sense with the short right-field fence and all the power from the left side that the Yankees possess. Saunders pitched strong down the stretch. Kazmir was in the running because of his experience facing the Yankees while with the Rays, but that would have frozen out Saunders, who hasn’t pitched since Oct. 4. Saunders won eight of his last nine decisions.
“This gives us the best chance to win the games,’’ Scioscia said at Angel Stadium. “All four of these guys have earned the chance to pitch in a Championship Series.”
Kazmir has posted a 2.67 ERA over 14 career starts against the Yankees and started the ALDS Game 3 clincher against the Red Sox on Sunday. Saunders was due to be the starter in Game 4.
Saunders is 1-0 lifetime at old Yankee Stadium with a 3.00 ERA. Kazmir, is 6-5 lifetime against the Yankees. He is 1-2 at old Yankee Stadium with a 5.04 ERA. They have not pitched in the new ballpark.
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The Yankees biggest advantage in this series is at closer, where Mariano Rivera matches up against Brian Fuentes. Scioscia, though, said he has a lot of confidence in Fuentes, who did not give up a hit in 1 2-3 innings against the Red Sox. “He’s looked crisp, made some good pitches and closed out some good hitters and games,’’ the manager noted. “That’s an important piece of our puzzle and it was good to see in that series.’’
The Angels workout was inside today because of rain in Southern California … Angels will carry 10 pitchers in this series, just as they did against the Red Sox.
With AP
