Afternoon Red Sox Misery – 9/26

Josh Beckett (L), Tommy Hunter (R)

With a magic number of three entering the final three games of the season, the Boston Red Sox know what has to be done to guarantee clinching the AL Wild Card. Tonight, they’ll continue their push towards that in the first of three games against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Today’s first pitch for game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and can be seen on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can catch the game on MASN. Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may also be able to catch the game on the MLB Network. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Josh Beckett makes his 30th and probably most important start of 2011 tonight. In his previous 29 starts, Beckett is 13-7 with a 2.70 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Orioles this year and is 1-1 with a 6.38 ERA. Beckett’s made 17 career starts against the Orioles and is 7-4 with a 3.99 ERA. 11 of those starts have come at Camden Yards where he is 5-2 with a 3.18 ERA.

Tommy Hunter makes his 11th start (12th appearance) for the Orioles and 19th overall appearance this season. In his previous 18 appearances (10 starts) between the Orioles and Rangers, Hunter is 4-4 with a 4.86 ERA. With the Orioles, he is 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts). He’s made one start against the Red Sox this season which came in his last start on September 21st. In that start, he picked up a no decision after allowing four runs in 6.2 innings of work. He’s made five career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-1 with a 7.50 ERA (21 ER/24 IP).

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

Here are this evening’s lineups:

89-70		67-92
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Matt Angle	LF
2. Carl Crawford	LF	2. J.J. Hardy	SS
3. Dustin Pedroia	2B	3. Nick Markakis	RF
4. David Ortiz	DH	4. Vladimir Guerrero	DH
5. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	5. Matt Wieters	C
6. Jed Lowrie	3B	6. Adam Jones	CF
7. J.D. Drew	RF	7. Mark Reynolds	1B
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	8. Chris Davis	3B
9. Marco Scutaro	SS	9. Robert Andino	2B
Josh Beckett	SP	Tommy Hunter	SP

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

Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles batter/pitcher matchups

Notes: Catcher Luis Exposito has been called up and added to the active roster. Jason Varitek was in the original starting lineup but was replaced by Salty.

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

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The turning point? How Sox hope to use dramatic win as springboard [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Ellsbury has his MVP moment [Chad Finn’s Touching All The Bases]

Red Sox release statement on John Lackey [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox’ Kevin Youkilis unlikely to play this week [Clubhouse Insider]

Wild-card race to dictate if Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz will pitch Wed. [Clubhouse Insider]

Jason Varitek scratched; Jarrod Saltalamacchia to catch [Clubhouse Insider]

Report: Sox still looking to trade for a single start [CSN New England]

Nation STATion: Peaks and Valleys [CSN New England]

Latest Red Sox win a sigh of relief [CSN New England]

If the end is near, Wakefield isn’t thinking about it [CSN New England]