Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 6/28

Josh Beckett (L), Cliff Lee (R)

After salvaging the finale in Pittsburgh on Sunday, the Boston Red Sox head to the City of Brotherly Love in what is being billed as a potential World Series preview. The Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies will square off tonight in the first of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Phillies television market, you can catch the game on Philadelphia 17. If you don’t live in either market you may be in luck as the MLB Network is scheduled to show the game as well. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

After being scratched before his last start, Josh Beckett returns after the layoff to make his 15th start of 2011. In his previous 14 starts, Beckett is 6-2 with a 1.86 ERA. He didn’t face the Phillies in 2010. Beckett has made 19 career appearances (17 starts) against the Phils and is 8-4 with a 3.98 ERA. He’s made eight appearances (seven starts) in Philly and is 2-3 with a 4.83 ERA. Beckett is 2-1 with a 4.71 ERA in three starts as a member of the Red Sox against the Phillies.

Cliff Lee makes his 17th start of 2011 for the Phillies tonight. In his previous 16 starts, Lee is 8-5 with a 2.87 ERA. He made one start against the Red Sox in 2010 as a member of the Texas Rangers, picking up a no decision after allowing two runs in nine innings of work. He’s made 10 career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-4 with a 4.06 ERA. In 33 innings this month, Lee has allowed just one earned run while going 4-0.

Click on the read more button below to see tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.

Here are tonight’s lineups:

45-32		49-30
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Jimmy Rollins	SS
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Placido Polanco	3B
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Chase Utley	2B
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Ryan Howard	1B
5. Darnell McDonald	LF	5. Shane Victorino	CF
6. Jason Varitek	C	6. Raul Ibanez	LF
7. Mike Cameron	RF	7. Domonic Brown	RF
8. Marco Scutaro	SS	8. Carlos Ruiz	C
9. Josh Beckett	P	9. Cliff Lee	P

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:

Boston Red Sox @ Philadelphia Phillies batter/pitcher matchups

Bobby Jenks and Franklin Morales have been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list. Scott Atchison will have to clear procedural waivers before being optioned back to Pawtucket. Tommy Hottovy was optioned to Pawtucket as well.

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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He recalls Philly fondly [Boston Globe]

It’s just another in a series of challenges [Boston Globe]

Clash could be Classic [Boston Herald]

Disadvantaged Kevin Youkilis [Boston Herald]

Hype beyond midseason form as Red Sox head to Philly [Boston Herald]

Ex-coach: Adrian Gonzalez one smart slugger [Boston Herald]

See you in the World Series? Not quite yet [Boston Herald]

Red-hot tickets for Red Sox vs. Phillies series [Boston Herald]

How will Josh Beckett respond on 12 days rest? [Boston Herald]

Lefty reliever Franklin Morales activated to face Phillies [Clubhouse Insider]