The Boston Red Sox continue their nine-game road trip after a brief stop in Oakland with a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, beginning Thursday night at 10:05 p.m. ET.
The Angels enter the game fresh off a 5-1 road trip of their own, and winners of eight of their past 10 games. As for Boston, they hope that Wednesday's win -- their first road win of the 2011 season -- was a sign things are beginning to turn around after an abysmal 0-6 and 1-7 start.
"It's a little late, but it feels good," said manager Terry Francona on the road win. "If we bog ourselves down with what we did two weeks ago, what we're going to do is bog ourselves down. We need to try and stay in the moment and win."
The Red Sox are sending Josh Beckett to the mound for Thursday night's first game of the series, currently their best pitcher -- he's allowed just five hits and one earned run in his past 15 innings while striking out 19 (and sporting a 2-0 record in those two starts). Opposing him is Tyler Chatwood, a 21-year-old right-hander who picked up his first win of the season Saturday against the White Sox. None of the Red Sox batters have ever faced Chatwood.
In 10 games in 2010, the Red Sox were 9-1 against the Angels.
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels
Thursday, April 21, 10:05 p.m.
NESN
Josh Beckett (2-1, 1.80) vs. Tyler Chatwood (1-1, 3.75)
Friday, April 22, 10:05 p.m.
NESN
Jon Lester (1-1, 3.20) vs. Dan Haren (4-0, 1.16)
Saturday, April 23, 9:05 p.m.
NESN
Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-2, 6.43) vs. Ervin Santana (0-2, 5.26)
Sunday, April 24, 3:35 p.m.
NESN
John Lackey (1-2, 9.82) vs. Matt Palmer (1-0, 4.22)
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Looking Ahead ... The Red Sox get Monday as a travel day to head back east for a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles.