After taking three-of-four from the Cleveland Indians, including the final three, the Boston Red Sox look to finish up the six-game homestand on a positive note. Tonight, they’ll take on the Seattle Mariners in the first game of a brief two-game set at Historic Fenway Park.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Mariners television market, you can catch the game on ROOT Sports. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
Jon Lester looks for his first Fenway Park win of the year in his team-high eighth start of 2012. In his previous seven starts, Lester is 1-3 with a 4.29 ERA. Lester did not face the Mariners in 2011 and was 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA (5 ER/15.2 IP) in two starts against them in 2010. He’s made seven career starts against the Mariners and is 2-2 with a 3.97 ERA. When he records his first out tonight, it’ll mark the 1000th inning he’s pitched in a Red Sox uniform joining 40 others who have done it before him.
Jason Vargas makes his ninth start of 2010 for the Mariners. In his previous eight starts, Vargas is 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA. He picked up the win in his only start against the Red Sox in 2011 after allowing four runs in seven innings of work back on April 29, 2011, which also marks his only start at the Fens. He’s made three career starts against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with a 3.26 ERA (7 ER/19.1 IP).
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.
Here are today’s lineups:
 16-20 |
 15-19 |
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| 1. Dustin Ackley | DH | 1. Mike Aviles | SS |
| 2. Casper Wells | LF | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Ichiro Suzuki | RF | 3. David Ortiz | DH |
| 4. Jesus Montero | C | 4. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 5. Justin Smoak | 1B | 5. Will Middlebrooks | 3B |
| 6. Kyle Seager | 2B | 6. Cody Ross | RF |
| 7. Alex Liddi | 3B | 7. Daniel Nava | LF |
| 8. Michael Saunders | CF | 8. Marlon Byrd | CF |
| 9. Brendan Ryan | SS | 9. Kelly Shoppach | C |
| Jason Vargas | SP | Jon Lester | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED
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Next million dollar question for Red Sox is the Youkilis-Middlebrooks quandary [Clubhouse Insider]
Mike from Attleboro: Place the blame where it belongs [CSN New England]
Youkilis steps up activity, gets ready for rehab assignment [CSN New England]
Valentine sidesteps question of what to do with Middlebrooks [CSN New England]
Red Sox injury updates on Cook, Ellsbury [CSN New England]
Lester tries to pitch Sox to 4th straight win [ESPN Boston]
Youkilis advances, but is not activated [ESPN Boston]
Valentine throws a bouquet at Nava [ESPN Boston]
When Youkilis returns, where will Middlebrooks go? [Extra Bases]
Ready to roll? Red Sox starters hold the key to team’s resurgence [Full Count]
Revisiting Kevin Millwood’s non-tenure with the Red Sox [Full Count]
Why Daisuke Matsuzaka’s rehab could go beyond 30 days [Full Count]
Red Sox new kid Will Middlebrooks is Major League hottie [Inside Track]
Josh Beckett Has Something to Prove and Other Thoughts From the Week in Baseball [NESN.com]
Is Felix Hernandez the Most Intimidating Starter in the Majors? [NESN.com]
Daniel Nava Sizzling at Plate As Red Sox Open Quick Two-Game Series With Mariners [NESN.com]
Derek Lowe Speechless After Red Sox Replace Pitcher’s Stolen World Series Ring [NESN.com]
Consul General of Japan to Present Red Sox With Cherry Tree During Pregame Ceremony [NESN.com]
Bobby Valentine Not Ready To Make Decision on Futures of Kevin Youkilis, Will Middlebrooks [NESN.com]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Mariners and Reminiscing [Projo Sox Blog]
Millwood looks back on tenure with Red Sox: “I didn’t see myself in their plans” [Projo Sox Blog]
Youkilis getting closer, no decision on Middlebrooks’ fate [Projo Sox Blog]
Valentine: Ellsbury has “almost full range of motion” in shoulder [Projo Sox Blog]
Five days after getting shelled, Beckett looks to put controversy behind him [Projo Sox Blog]
Red Sox pass pitching baton to Lester vs. M’s [RedSox.com]
Bobby V: Youk/Middlebrooks plan ‘premature’ [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
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Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images
