Tonight in Anaheim, Jaret Wright (9-7) takes the hill for the Bronx Bombers vs John Lackey (10-9) and the Halos in what should be a very interesting series.
As much as the Yankees are an offensive threat to any team in the league, the Los Angeles Angels are 4-3 head to head this year. Jaret Wright has always had control issues especially on the road where he sports a 4.00 era and a 1.46 whip. Not to mention he has struggled vs LAA, allowing 37 hits, 29 earned runs in 34.1 innings worth of work. Thats a 7.60 era, 1.72 whip lifetime vs LAA. Not very promising when every game is so crucial. Torre always has his eye on Wright who has given up 46% of his runs in the 1st inning. Control will be a big factor early on with this kid, as I look for the Halos to frustrate Wright early on.
Now for Lackey.
Lackey has cooled off recently. In his last 3 starts, 17.2 IP, 32 hits allowed, 2.26 whip, and a 5.60 era. Head to head John is 3-6 lifetime vs NYY 53.1 inning worth of work, 64 hits, 34 earned runs, 5.74 era, 1.69 whip and an opposing baa of .308. Not to mention the likes of Johnny Damon (10-30 .333), Jason Giambi (11-23 .478, 2HR), and Derek Jeter (8-23 .348, 4 2B's, 1 HR) just seem to rip the cover off of the ball vs Lackey. Take into account that the Angels used a majority of their bullpen last night as Weaver was only able to go 6 innings leaving Donnelly, J.C. Romero and Hector Carrasco ( who had been used in Wednesday's game as well) to pick up the slack.
Seeing where the state of the bullpens are for both teams, the control issues between the starting pitchers and a lack of rest for the visiting Yankees on this west coast trip, look for Game 1 tonight to exceed the total of 9.5.
New York Yankees @ Los Angeles Angels Over 9.5 +100
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