Daisuke Matsuzaka looks to help the Red Sox get back into 1st place as he goes for win #17.
I can tell you that when I looked at the schedule when it came out last year that I didn’t figure that this series would be an important one as it is now. I figured the Boston Red Sox would have to win the games to stay with or maintain a lead over the New York Yankees, not play catchup to the Tampa Bay Rays.
But alas, here we are on September 15th with just 13 games left to play in the season trailing the Rays by one game in the AL East while the Yankees are making tee times and vacation plans.
The Red Sox had a good chance to take over first place when the Rays came to town but the Sox lost 2-of-3 to fall 2 ½ games out. The Rays also had come into that series not having won a game at Fenway Park before taking the final 2 games. We can only hope that the Red Sox can do the same as they are winless (0-6) at Tropicana Field this year.
Terry Francona entrusts Daisuke “Houdini” Matsuzaka to work his magic tonight against the Rays lineup. Dice-K has faced the Rays twice this season and has no record with a 3.60 ERA. In his career, he is 1-3 with a 3.98 ERA in 7 games started. He is also 0-2 with a 3.75 ERA in 4 career games started at Tropicana Field.
Joe Maddon counters with young lefty Scott Kazmir to quiet the Red Sox bats and keep his young team on top in the AL East. Kazmir is making his 21st career start against the Red Sox and is 6-6 with a 3.02 ERA. He has faced the Red Sox 3 times this season and is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA.
J.D. Drew will be back with the Red Sox tomorrow but after getting another shot on Friday, he most likely won’t be ready to play until this Friday at the earliest. To me, as long as the Red Sox are winning, let him take his time to be healthy for the playoffs.
Alex Speier tells us they will be giving away cowbells at Wednesday night’s game.
If you missed the Red Sox rookies as characters from “High School Musical”, you can check out the videos by pressing the SAP button on your remote.
Lineups and batter/pitcher matchups after the jump.
88-61
1. Coco Crisp, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Jason Bay, LF
7. Jed Lowrie, SS
8. Jason Varitek, C
9. Jacoby Ellsbury, RF
– Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP
88-59
1. Akinori Iwamura, 2B
2. Jason Bartlett, SS
3. Carlos Pena, 1B
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Cliff Floyd, DH
6. Dioner Navarro, C
7. Eric Hinske, LF
8. Gabe Gross, RF
9. Fernando Perez, CF
– Scott Kazmir, SP
And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers.
