The Red Sox were the first team to really figure out Jered Weaver. Thursday night they'll have another shot at handing the rookie his first loss.
Weaver, who is striving to become the only American League rookie to win the first 10 decisions of his career as a starter, will face a Red Sox club that was the first team to score more than two earned runs against him.
"I try not to think about it too much," Weaver said of his streak. "It's been a good ride. If it ends, it ends. If not, that's great too."
Back on July 29 at Fenway Park, Weaver lasted 6 2/3 innings and permitted three earned runs on seven hits. Even still, he was in line to win his eighth straight start before the bullpen blew a three-run lead.
The Angels got more of the same from Weaver in his next two starts, both of which ended in no-decisions. He allowed three runs to the Rangers and a season-high four to the Indians as his ERA rose above 2.00 for the first time in his career.
Since that game in Cleveland, Weaver has begun to dominate once again. He surrendered one run in six innings against the Yankees in New York on Aug. 13 and followed that performance with seven scoreless innings last Friday vs. the Mariners.
His start in Boston was the only game in which Weaver and rookie catcher Mike Napoli have not teamed together on the field. Napoli, who didn't start in the Angels' 4-3 loss on Wednesday, will almost assuredly get the call on Thursday.
"It's easy to work with him; our heads kind of work in the same direction," Weaver said. "I already have the pitch ready in my hand before he throws [a sign] down."
Weaver's deceptive delivery and mastery of the strike zone allowed him to win the first seven starts of his Major League career. His early run of success only came into question when pundits noted he had yet to face a team for the second time.
Well, the rookie has now faced a trio of teams more than once and, with a 2.33 ERA in those outings, has put to rest such cynical opinions.
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