Mike Scioscia was a little more forthcoming at his post-workout media session in California, revealing his four-man series rotation. John Lackey, as expected, will pitch Game 1, with Joe Saunders pitching Game 2, Jered Weaver in Game 3 and Scott Kazmir in Game 4.There's not much more to the post, but it's here.
That would put CC against Lackey, as thought, Burnett against Saunders, Pettitte and Weaver, and then CC again facing Kazmir in Game 4.
I don't know if it changes much, but if anything, I think this gives us a better shot in Game 2.
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Greg here... Just wanted to add a quote from Scioscia via The Fabulous Forum, and some stats on Saunders vs. the Yanks:
"A lot went into it; it wasn't just one thing," Scioscia said today before the Angels left the stadium for their flight to New York. "It makes sense for Joe to pitch Game 2 in that park and to have Weaver and Kazmir pitch Games 3 and 4. This is going to give us the best environment for these guys to give us a chance to win. Joe has the tools to pitch in that stadium."Saunders has made five career starts against the Yankees, and is 2-1, with a 6.28 ERA. He's only made one of those starts in the Bronx, back on 8/11/2006, and in six innings he allowed 2 earned runs on 6 hits, walked 2 and struck out 4, and picked up a win. In two starts this season against the Yanks, Saudners was 1-0, with a 4.72 ERA. In 13.1 innings pitches, he allowed 7 earned runs on 16 hits, walked 2, and struck out 6.