Red Sox vs Indians Game 3 2007 ALCS

2007 A. L. C. S. Game 3

			@
D. Matsuzaka		0-0, -.--		J. Westbrook		0-0, -.--
Red Sox		1-1		Indians		1-1

Monday, October 15      Jacobs Field  ✠ 7:00 PM ET

ESPN.Com Preview .
Yahoo's Preview .
ESPN.Com after the game Recap.
MLB.Com Press Pass
From MLB.Com Scouting Report

Red Sox: The right-hander from Japan labored in his first career postseason start, giving up seven hits and three runs over 4 2/3 innings to the Angels. He threw 96 pitches, which is less economical than the Red Sox need him to be. Overall, Matsuzaka's first Major League season has been a success. Matsuzaka went 15-12 with a 4.40 ERA over 32 starts. In 204 2/3 innings, Matsuzaka allowed 191 hits while striking out 201. His best month was June, when he posted a 1.59 ERA over five starts. Matsuzaka went 2-1 with a 7.62 ERA in September, though his final regular-season start was one of his best, as he limited the Twins to two runs over eight innings while striking out eight. Matsuzaka had mixed results against the Indians, going 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in two starts. His win was a 1-0 gem against C.C. Sabathia at Cleveland on July 24. Matsuzaka went 7-8 with a 4.02 ERA on the road this season.

Indians: Westbrook's first foray into postseason play saw him shine early in Game 3 of the ALDS, but he couldn't sustain the bite on his sinker in the middle innings and was tagged for six runs on nine hits in five-plus innings of work. He was unable to secure an early 3-0 lead handed to him in what could have been a series-clinching game. He said his approach became too predictable, and he hopes to mix up his pitches better in this start. Westbrook has to prove he can turn in a more consistent outing against lineups filled with postseason veterans. That might be tough to do against a Red Sox club that roughed him up for five runs on 10 hits in six innings in his lone start against them this season.

As usual all statistics were found at the day by day database at Baseball Musings and this year at Baseball Reference.

Hitting History vs Westbrook

Player	AB	H	2b	3b	HR's	RBI	BB's	K's	BA
D. Pedroia	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333
K. Youkilis	8	5	1	0	0	4	2	1	.625
D. Ortiz	9	2	1	0	0	0	0	2	.222
M. Ramirez	16	8	1	0	0	3	0	2	.500
M. Lowell	11	3	0	0	0	0	1	1	.273
J.D. Drew	5	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	.200
J. Varitek	6	3	1	0	0	1	3	0	.500
C. Crisp	8	6	1	0	0	0	0	0	.750
J. Lugo	24	6	2	0	0	1	2	2	.250
Totals	90	35	7	0	0	10	9	8	.389

A .389 batting average? Are you freaking kidding me? Based on these numbers the Sox should be able to score at will. However, this is a home game in Cleveland, so I expect there to be some struggles here. Still, I am optimistic for this batting order.

Other things to consider when watching the Sox take on this pitcher:

1. This year lefties are batting .288 against him.
2. He is able to retire only 62% of lead off batters.
3. 4 pitch or less PA's is only 59%.
4. His off speed stuff is his best.

Historical Pitching Lines

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Matsuzaka	2	1	1	0	12 2/3	16	6	1	3	9	4.26	1.50	6.33
Westbrook	6	3	2	0	33 2/3	48	18	1	17	12	4.81	1.93	5.61

The only good thing here is that Daisuke has better numbers than Westbrook. None of those numbers make you stand up and say, "guaranteed winner here". Still, will take Daisuke's numbers over Westbrook.

This Years Pitching Totals

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Matsuzaka	2	1	1	0	12 2/3	16	6	1	3	9	4.26	1.50	6.33
Westbrook	1	0	1	0	6	10	5	0	4	1	7.50	2.33	6

Westbrook sucked this year at Cleveland. That is interesting because Daisuke had an excellent game at Cleveland earlier this year. 7 innings of 4 hit ball and he won a 1-0 game. His WHIP at Jacobs field is a great 1.00. Hopefully that is the Daisuke we will see tonight!!!

♊ - When all else fails, get a bigger hammer!