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Angels clinch home field and will play Red Sox in playoffs Wednesday.

Though the Angels have lost nine straight postseason games to the Red Sox, they are 8-1 against Boston this season.

That the Angels are 11-4 since clinching the division on Sept.10, is a statement in itself. John Lackey will take the hill to open the playoffs, he will be opposed by Red Sox righthander Jon Lester.

Jon Lester, LHP (0-0, -.--) Red Sox @ John Lackey, RHP (0-0, -.--) Angels

Scouting Report: Angels: Lackey allowed a career-worst 10 runs over 2 2/3 innings against the Rangers on Friday in what was supposed to be a final tuneup before his Game 1 start against the Red Sox on Wednesday. But it wasn't indicative of the way the big right-hander has been throwing this season and was just a bad start in an otherwise meaningless game. Lackey, who is 3-6 with a 5.54 ERA against Boston in his career, appeared to turn it around against the Red Sox this season. He went 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA against Boston and carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning at Fenway Park on July 29. It will be interesting to see what version of Lackey shows up on Wednesday at Angel Stadium.

Friday, October 3 Angel Stadium of Anaheim | 6:30 PM PT

Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP (0-0, -.--) Red Sox @ Ervin Santana, RHP (0-0, -.--) Angels

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