Angels Set Pitching Rotation Versus Yankees
October 14, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Playoffs, Stats and Analysis
The Los Angeles Angels now know their starting pitchers for the first four games of their series against the New York Yankees. On Wednesday, manager Mike Scioscia said that John Lackey will pitch Game 1, Joe Saunders will pitch Game 2, Jered Weaver will pitch Game 3 and Scott Kazmir will pitch Game 4.
Lackey will face a lot of pressure in Game 1. If the Angels want to advance to the 2009 World Series, they will need to quiet the confidence that the Yankees currently hold. To do so, Los Angeles really needs to win the first game of the series.
On the season, Lackey was 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA. Since breaking into the big leagues in 2002 with the Angels, the righty has won at least nine contests each season.
As for the Yankees, they will likely go with a three-man rotation of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte. It’ll be interesting to see if the Angels and their depth at starting pitcher becomes an advantage or if the Yankees can dominate with the three-man staff.
John Lackey - Los Angeles Angels (Image: Zuma Press)
