Ex-Sox hurler gives Halos slight edge

Brendan Donnelly is about the best Major League source around when it comes to handicapping the Red Sox/Angels Division Series that began last night here in Anaheim.

The 37-year-old pitched for the Sox during the 2007 season before succumbing to Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Before that, the right-handed journeyman won a 2002 World Series title during his five-year career with the Angels.

Asked for his scouting report, Donnelly predictably went with the “pitching is king” philosophy, but gave a slight edge to the Angels — and that was before learning about the question mark beside Josh Beckett’s postseason availability.

“If I was a gambling man, then I would say that they’re both good teams. I think the Angels might be a more complete team,” said Donnelly, who finished out the season with the Indians after recovering from elbow surgery. “I think the Angels’ starting pitching is a little better than the Red Sox, but the bottom line is that pitching wins in the playoffs.

“They are both good teams. They both have some speed and they both have some power. They both have good bullpens, and are pretty even across the board,” added Donnelly. “I think it’s going to come down to starting pitching, and who’s going to show up and throw the ball better. For me, it’s too close to call.”

One of the factors that had Donnelly shading toward the Angels was the mid-season acquisition of first baseman Mark Teixeira. The slick-fielding Teixeira supplied the Angels with another power bat to pair with Vlad Guerrero’s, and helped the Halos offense score an additional run per game after his arrival on July 29.

“I think for years [the Angels] always needed that extra bat and now they finally went out and got it,” said Donnelly. “I think it’s a credit to the new GM [Tony Reagins] that he went out and made a move after the old GM would just stand pat every year. Teixeira makes these two offenses pretty much even now.”