Boston @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium
Last Meeting ( May 6, 2010 ) LA Angels 6, Boston 11
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim made the first big trade of the season by acquiring starting pitcher Dan Haren from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.
Did it come with a hint of desperation?
It is nothing against Haren, a three-time All-Star who has a history of difficult second halves of seasons, but more of an indication of being in an unfamiliar position.
The Angels, who start a three-game series at home against the Boston Red Sox on Monday, have won three straight AL West titles and five of the last six.
With the final 10 weeks of the season approaching, the Angels just lost three of four to the division-leading Texas Rangers to fall seven back in the division and nine in the wild card race.
Instead of being chased, the Angels are in full pursuit of the surging Rangers.
The pickup of Haren, who is under contract from two more seasons, is a solid move and can be the type of thing that rattles the clubhouse so much so that it translates into playing inspired ball.
The first chance to do so comes against the Red Sox with Joel Pineiro (10-7, 4.18) taking the mound. Monday would actually have been Haren’s regular turn after pitching on Wednesday. The void left by Joe Saunders, who was sent to Arizona in the deal, is Wednesday.
For his part, manager Mike Scioscia said no decision had been made as to when Haren will make his Angels’ debut.
So it will be Pineiro who opens the three-game series against the Red Sox, who counter with Clay Buchholz (10-5, 2.81).
The right-hander had been pitching well until his last outing when he gave up six earned in six innings. Before that, Pineiro had won seven of his last eight starts.
The move for Haren (7-8, 4.60 ERA) was the second recent one by the Angels, who also picked up infielder Alberto Callaspo on Thursday from Kansas City.
Right-handers John Lackey and Josh Beckett follow Buchholz as the Red Sox try to bide time while players such as Victor Martinez and Dustin Pedroia return from injury.
Boston currently sits eight games behind the New York Yankees in the AL East and four behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the wild card race. The Red Sox, however, have lost 12 of their last 18 games since July 4.