The Boston Red Sox will look to move to 1.5 games out of first place in the AL East when they host the Toronto Blue Jays in game 2 of a 3-game set. The Red Sox took last night’s game 2-1 behind a stellar effort from Tim Wakefield.
The game tonight will start at 7:10 PM EDT and will be televised in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Blue Jays television market, you can catch the game on TSN2. And if the television isn’t your cup of tea, you can catch the game on one of the many affiliates of the Red Sox Radio Network.
Brad Penny has pitched well as of late for the Red Sox and has gone at least 6 innings in his last 3 starts. On the season, Penny is 3-1 with a 6.69 ERA in 7 starts. He has made 4 career starts against the Blue Jays and is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA.
Rookie Brett Cecil will be called upon by skipper Cito Gaston to get the Blue Jays the win tonight. Cecil will be making just his fourth big league start and is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA.
Terry Francona’s interview with Dale & Holley [WEEI.com]
Francona on Ortiz [Extra Bases]
Youk has Papi’s back [Extra Bases]
Sox aren’t out of options [Tony Massarotti Blog]
Seeking a glimmer of hope for Big Papi? Look no further than Lowell [Wicked Good Sports]
As Ortiz struggles, Red Sox, fans remain patient [FOXSports.com]
Pregame tidbits: Kotsay may be headed to Pawtucket for rehab this weekend [Projo Sox Blog]
Steady Wake keeps Red Sox ship sailing smooth [NESN.com]
Globe 10.0: Should the Red Sox trade young pitching for a hitter? [Boston Globe]
Minor-League Notes: Ortiz Isn’t the Only Slumping Sox Slugger [Full Count]
Smoltz ties the knot [Atlanta Journal Constitution]
Bill Janovitz Represents: The Ballad of Tim Wakefield [Surviving Grady]
Top 10 reasons why David “Big Papi” Ortiz is struggling this year [on 205th]
Fan Interference [Center Field]
How diehard are you? Topic: Legendariness [Batter-up with Bruno]
Here are the starting lineups for tonight’s game.
27-15 |
23-16 |
||
1. Marcos Scutaro | SS | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
2. Aaron Hill | 2B | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
3. Alex Rios | RF | 3. David Ortiz | DH |
4. Vernon Wells | CF | 4. Kevin Youkilis | 1B |
5. Adam Lind | DH | 5. Jason Bay | LF |
6. Scott Rolen | 3B | 6. Mike Lowell | 3B |
7. Lyle Overbay | 1B | 7. Rocco Baldelli | RF |
8. Rod Barajas | C | 8. Jason Varitek | C |
9. Travis Snider | LF | 9. Julio Lugo | SS |
Brett Cecil | SP | Brad Penny | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers. No one on the Red Sox has faced Cecil.