After yet another offensive explosion last night at Historic Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox look to make it two wins in a row against the Kansas City Royals in game three of a four-game set.
Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Royals television market, you can watch the game on FOX Sports Kansas City. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
John Lackey goes for his fourth straight win in as many starts in his 17th start of 2011. In his previous 16 outings, Lackey is 8-8 with a 6.28 ERA. While he’s never faced the Royals as a member of the Red Sox, he has made eight career starts against them. In those eight starts, Lackey is 2-3 with a 3.21 ERA.
Bruce Chen makes his 13th start of 2011 and sixth start being reinstated from the disabled list back on June 24th. In his previous 12 starts, Chen is 5-3 with a 3.30 ERA. He made one start against the Red Sox in 2010, picking up a no decision after allowing one run in four innings. Chen has made 15 career appearances (eight starts) against the Red Sox and is 3-5 with a 4.62 ERA. 10 of those appearances (four starts) have come at the Fens where he is 1-2 with a 4.30 ERA.
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 this evening’s lineups:
 43-60 |
 63-38 |
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| 1. Alex Gordon | LF | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 2. Melky Cabrera | CF | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Billy Butler | DH | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 4. Eric Hosmer | 1B | 4. Kevin Youkilis | 3B |
| 5. Jeff Francoeur | RF | 5. David Ortiz | DH |
| 6. Mike Moustakas | 3B | 6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C |
| 7. Brayan Pena | C | 7. Marco Scutaro | SS |
| 8. Chris Getz | 2B | 8. Darnell McDonald | RF |
| 9. Alcides Escobar | SS | 9. Yamaico Navarro | LF |
| Bruce Chen | SP | John Lackey | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.
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Video: Fear Not, Remy Likes Mike Lowell [SOX & Dawgs]
Red Sox’ OF options dwindling amid reports Beltran, Rasmus traded [Clubhouse Insider]
Source: Red Sox ’still looking’ for OF, but not willing to give up farm [Clubhouse Insider]
Sox looking for arms in depleted market [CSNNE.com]
Buchholz skips bullpen session, will see specialist [CSNNE.com]
Notes: Youkilis talks his way back into lineup [CSNNE.com]
Daniel Bard’s Success Reminiscent of Mariano Rivera’s Early Years [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]
SoxProspects.com: Red Sox trade chips [ESPN Boston]
Can Sox get by without proven lefty in pen? [ESPN Boston]
Youk back in lineup; Crawford, Reddick out [ESPN Boston]
Thank Reddick for no Beltran [Extra Bases]
Pregame notes on Buchholz and the lineup change [Extra Bases]
Jerry Remy on D&C: ‘The key is getting [Clay] Buchholz back’ [Full Count]
Red Sox held the line on potential Carlos Beltran deal [Full Count]
Adrian Gonzalez on The Big Show: Home Run Derby did not hurt swing [Full Count]
Terry Francona on the Big Show: ‘We’re walking a fine line’ with Andrew Miller [Full Count]
Top 10 All-Out Effort Athletes List Includes Hot-Hitting Dustin Pedroia [NESN.com]
Report: Red Sox Still Considering Ubaldo Jimenez, Erik Bedard, Other Starting Pitchers [NESN.com]
Clay Buchholz’s Latest Delay Not Worrisome, But Could Alter Plan Prior to Trade Deadline [NESN.com]
Baseball has turned into cricket [Projo Sox Blog]
With Rasmus deal, Blue Jays fire warning shot [Projo Sox Blog]
Former Colorado teammate impressed with Morales’ poise [Projo Sox Blog]
Facing Royals, Lackey seeks fourth straight win [RedSox.com]
The Ladder: 7.27.11 [SoxProspects.com]
Photo credits: AP Photo, Getty Images
