In the first two games, the Sox and Angels have combined for just 3 hits with runners in scoring position. And the Angels hit traveled less than 45 feet. -- I think that battle of attrition is going to end tonight. The weather is warm in The OC, and I expect the ball to be jumping.
The Angels seem to have the better of the pitching matchup tonight, a decided home field advantage, and may have a chip on their shoulder leftover from game 2. They should also be recovered from their cross-country travels. -- It seems like the odds are stacked in their favor, but those odds were also stacked in the White Sox favor for game 1, and we know how that turned out.
Keys
- Garland -- Stay calm. Jon makes his first ever post-season appearance. He appeared a little jumpy on the mound, though he did escape without allowing a run, during his lone national spotlight moment in the All-Star game. -- Jon grew up just down the road from the Amusement Park Team, and figures to have a large crowd on hand to cheer him on. He just needs to stay grounded. Stick with what got him here.
- Every White Sox right handed batter -- Don't swing at Lackey's slider when it's in the opposite batter's box. Sounds simple, but I fear we could be in for a long night. His stuff matches up very well with our some of our hitter's weaknesses.
- Score first -- The Sox played their best baseball of the year when they were running off 38 straight with a lead. Taking the crowd out of the game seemed to be effective in Boston too, though I'm sure the Theme Park will be full of inflatable phallic-shaped noisemakers and stuffed monkeys.
Jon Garland (18-10, 3.50) vs. John Lackey (14-5, 3.44)