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Teixeira expected to debut as Angels try to sweep Red Sox

Jul 30, 2008 - 10:10 AM LA Angels (66-40) at Boston (61-47), 7:05 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- A day after acquiring slugger Mark Teixeira, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will try to sweep the three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday at Fenway Park.

Teixeira, who is batting .283 with 20 home runs and 78 RBI, is expected to make his debut with the Angels and bat cleanup behind Vladimir Guerrero.

The owners of the best record in the major leagues, the Angels traded first baseman Casey Kotchman and prospect righthander Steve Malek to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday with hopes the two-time Gold Glove winner will propel them to play deep into October.

In the first two games against the Red Sox, Anaheim looked like a legitimate championship contender. On Monday, it posted a 7-5 triumph and Tuesday was even more impressive as John Lackey took a no-hitter into the ninth - before surrendering two hits and two runs - en route to a 6-2 win.

Boston will turn to ace Josh Beckett (9-7, 3.83 ERA) to erase the possibility of falling three games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays (62-44).

Beckett faced the Angels on July 19 and was on the losing end of a 4-2 bout. The 28-year-old righthander tossed eight innings on the road, allowing four runs and nine hits while striking out six.

Joe Saunders (13-5, 3.10) threw 6 2/3 innings that game, allowing two runs and six hits, but didn't factor in the decision.

Saunders, a first-time All-Star, has held opponents to three or less runs in nine of his last 10 starts and is 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in two starts against the Red Sox.

Anaheim swept Boston in a three-game set in the first series of the second half, enjoying a 20-8 run advantage.