The second game of the Red Sox and Angels’ four-game set will feature what appeared to be the premier pitching matchup of the series going in, although it will now have to be pretty special to top Thursday night’s. Jon Lester, who has been solid in three starts since his struggles on opening day, will do battle with Dan Haren, who is 4-0 and has been virtually untouchable this year.

Haren will be looking to become the second Angels starter to reach 5-0 already this season after Jered Weaver accomplished the feat with a win Wednesday. Haren enters Friday’s game with a miniscule 1.16 ERA and 0.65 WHIP. He has allowed just 18 hits and two walks while striking out 27 over 31 innings.

Haren is just 2-5 in his career against Boston, but that record isn’t really indicative of his actual success. In eight starts, he has a 3.21 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Moreover, current Red Sox are hitting just .217 against him.

Adrian Gonzalez has faced Haren the most, dating back to their days together in the NL West. Gonzalez has also been one of the few Sox to have any sort of success against him, hitting .289 with two home runs and six RBIs in 38 at-bats. David Ortiz has also done well in his 19 at-bats against the righty, as he is batting .368 with three homers and six RBIs.

Lester enters Friday’s showdown with a 1-1 record and 3.20 ERA. Since giving up five runs in 5 1/3 innings on opening day, he has allowed just four runs over 20 innings in his last three starts.

Lester hasn’t fared too well in his career against the Angels despite having a 2-1 record in five starts. He has a 5.86 ERA and 1.77 WHIP versus the Halos. Torii Hunter has the best track record against him, as he is hitting .385 with a homer and four RBIs in 13 career at-bats against the lefty.

Lester vs. Angels

Vernon Wells (35 career plate appearances): .179 BA/.314 OBP/.357 SLG, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5 walks, 2 strikeouts

Bobby Abreu (21): .235/.381/.353, 3 RBI, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts

Erick Aybar (17): .286/.412/.357, 2 RBI, 3 walks

Howie Kendrick (17): .176/.176/.235, 3 strikeouts

Torii Hunter (15): .385/.467/.769, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts

Maicer Izturs (9): .375/.444/.625, 2 RBI, 1 walk

Alberto Callaspo (7): .167/.286/.333, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

Jeff Mathis (7): .333/.333/.500, 2 strikeouts

Reggie Willits (3): 1.000/1.000/1.000, 1 walk

Peter Bourjos, Hank Conger, Mark Trumbo and Bobby Wilson have never faced Lester.

Haren vs. Red Sox

Adrian Gonzalez (42): .289/.317/.500, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 walks, 10 strikeouts

Carl Crawford (27): .269/.296/.423, 4 RBI, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts

David Ortiz (22): .368/.455/.947, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 3 walks, 1 strikeout

Kevin Youkilis (16): .188/.188/.188, 1 RBI, 4 strikeouts

J.D. Drew (12): .083/.083/.083, 5 strikeouts

Jason Varitek (11): .100/.182/.200, 5 strikeouts

Dustin Pedroia (10): .000/.100/.000, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts

Mike Cameron (9): .000/.111/.000, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts

Marco Scutaro (7): .167/.143/.333, 2 RBI, 1 strikeout

Jacoby Ellsbury (3): .000/.333/.000, 1 walk

Darnell McDonald (3): .000/.500/.000

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (3): .333/.333/.667, 1 strikeout

Jed Lowrie (2): .500/.500/1.000, 1 strikeout