Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 8/4

After enjoying a day off in sunny Tampa yesterday, the Boston Red Sox get set to do battle with their AL East brethren the Tampa Bay Rays for the next two days.

Tonight’s game will start at 7:08 PM and will be covered on the NESN in the Red Sox television market. In the Tampa area, you can catch the game on Sun Sports. If the television isn’t your cup of tea, You can also catch the game on the radio on one of the many affiliates of the Red Sox Radio Network.

Jon Lester looks to keep the momentum going for the Red Sox and Terry Francona tonight at the Trop. He hasn’t had much luck against the Rays this season as he is 0-2 with a 12.94 ERA in two starts. Lester has made 9 career starts against the Rays and is 4-2 with a 5.02 ERA. He’s made just two starts at the Trop and is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA.

Matt Garza may have a record under .500 this season (7-8, 3.69 ERA) but he’s owned the Red Sox in 2009 and in his career. In 3 starts this season against the Sox, he is 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA. He’s made 9 career starts against the Red Sox and is 5-1 with a 2.98 ERA.

Bay sits again, Wakefield improving? [Extra Bases]

Red Sox set to face the iron of the American League [Projo Sox Blog]

Boston’s banged-up outfield gets some needed breaks [Projo Sox Blog]

Wakefield’s arm and back progressing, but now his calf is a problem [Projo Sox Blog]

Ortiz remains in holding pattern [Clubhouse Insider]

Pre-game notes: Ortiz still not talking about positive test [WEEI.com]

The State of the Red Sox after the Deadline [Lou Merloni – Full Count]

Jim Rice on Dale and Holley [Full Count]

Make or Break Time? [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]

Felix Hernandez [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]

Remembering Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry Moments [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Pumpsie Green Changed the Face of the Red Sox For the Better [NESN.com]

Even With Martinez, Varitek’s Value Still Sky High [NESN.com]

Here are tonight’s starting lineups:

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