Boston @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 26, 2010 ) Boston 6, LA Angels 3
Mike Napoli had a great spring training, a horrid April and went through a position change of sorts in May.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim catcher/first baseman has had an odd season, but as the end of July draws near, Napoli is closing in on career highs in both home runs and RBIs.
The 28-year-old was batting .167 at the end of the April and was in trouble of losing time behind the plate to the hot hitting Jeff Mathis, who had been known for his defensive skills and game calling.
Then Mathis fractured his wrist on April 19, opening a more regular spot in the lineup for Napoli.
With the regular at-bats came confidence and a comfort level that put Napoli into a pretty good groove offensively. When Mathis returned and Kendry Morales’ freak leg injury happened, Angels manager Mike Scioscia decided to fill the offensive void left by Morales with Napoli.
The results have been pretty solid as Napoli has 18 home runs - two off his career high - and the average is starting to climb since the All-Star break. He is hitting .314 (11-for-35) over the last 10 games to raise his average to .254.
He’ll look to keep it rolling Tuesday in the second game of three against the Boston Red Sox.
Los Angeles has lost four of five and needs to start to turn things around. It could use a dominating start by right-hander Jered Weaver (9-6, 3.22 ERA).
The American League strikeout leader needs to set the tone early against the Red Sox to put the Angels in a good frame in the mind. They need something after losing three of four to the Texas Rangers and their new acquisition – Dan Haren – left Monday’s game after getting hit by a batted ball.
Weaver, who has lost three of his last four decisions, will be opposed by former Angel John Lackey, who left for Boston during the offseason.
The right-hander hasn’t lived up to his five-year, $85-million contract thus far, but with Boston, the season comes down to October. If Lackey (9-5, 4.36 ERA) can produce the rest of the season and help the team reach the postseason, then all will be forgotten.
Lackey, who hasn’t won in July despite three quality starts in four outings, should get an offensive boost after All-Star catcher Victor Martinez was activated from the disabled list on Monday.
Martinez drove in a run on Monday and should have fresh legs the rest of the way in an attempt to push Boston toward the postseason.