Game Preview: Angeles @ Sox GM1

Lackey (15-6) vs. Buchholz (NR)
Fenway Park 105

I spent all my time last night (this morning) analyzing the first two games of this series only to later discover that the pitching matchups I crowed on & on about were not going to happen.

Turns out Mike Scioscia didn't want to throw Lackey opposite Beckett in the nightcap, supposedly because Lackey got to town yesterday and he didn't want him sitting around all day before pitching, but we all know the real reason he switched 'em up:

so he could have his ace go up against the new kid on the block, Sox rookie Clay Buchholz.

At first I was pissed when I learned of this development, but after a night's sleep I realized it was probably the smart thing for Scioscia to do.

Even if it was a chickenshit move.

But really what better time to put your ace on the hill than when a rookie is making his fist major league start for the other team?

I mean Buchholz is going to be nervous enough already, pitching for the best team in baseball in the middle of a pennant race at Fenway and facing the second best team in the majors, so why not add to his nausea by having one of the leading Cy Young candidates in the AL oppose him?

This way the Angels have a much better chance at a split, where before Earvin Santana most likely would have lost the opener and then you run the risk of your ace losing to our ace in the nightcap.

Smart move, Scioscia.

God I hate that guy.

Other news swirling around the park, via the Globe, include the impending trade/demotion of Whiffy Mo Painful, which must be decided before game time so they can activate Buchholz; the fact that Mirabelli, not Tek, will serve as the kid's catcher, saving Captain Clutch for the night game; and the impending return of Jacoby Speedy Ellsbury for Game 2, which also will prompt the return of Buchholz back to Pawtucket.

A busy day at Fenway to be sure, and hopefully one that will end with two wins for Boston, one from the kid with the Beckett-like potential and one by the real deal himself.

Combined with the addition by subtraction of Wily Mo and the return of the promising young Ellsbury and this could be a banner day in the 2007 season for the Bosox.

Either that or a total fucking disaster!

Go Sox!