Josh Beckett looks to propel the Red Sox into 1st place tonight.
The battle at the Trop continues tonight as the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays are now tied for first place in the AL East. Only one team can end up in first place after tonight’s game so let’s hope it’s Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Sox.
Beckett is making his third start since returning from the disabled list and faced the Rays his last time out. He gave up just 1 run while striking out 7 in what turned out to be a Rays win in 14 innings. This will be his 5th start against the Rays this season and he is 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA. He is 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA in 3 career starts at the Trop and is 5-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 9 starts for his career against them.
The Rays will send Andy Sonnanstine to the mound tonight. Sonnanstine was on the hill last against the Red Sox and was the starter against Beckett. Sonnanstine also gave up 1 run during that game. In 5 career starts against the Red Sox he is 1-1 with a 6.59 ERA.
Good news for Red Sox fans as John Henry told CHB in an email today that Theo Epstein will be with the Red Sox for a little while longer. How much longer is anyone’s guess as the terms of the contract weren’t disclosed.
‘We are all on the same page with regard to our vision for the organization,” Henry wrote in an e-mail this afternoon. “The negotiations were pleasant and were all about rewarding Theo for the great, great job he has done in bringing two world championships to the Red Sox. We look forward to the difficult task of trying to win a third.”
Henry clarified in a later e-mail that while the main negotiations were complete and “lawyers are handling the details,” the sides haven’t settled all matters.
The Red Sox will be without the services of Jason Bay for the next two games as he has left the team to be with his wife who is set to deliver their baby any minute now.
James Stewart of WEEI has a look at the numbers of Manny Ramirez and Bay since the trade happened.
Adam Kilgore has a good piece about appreciating Mike Timlin.
17,695 is the number of pitches Timlin has thrown in his career.
Local Boston songwriter Desmond Reed wrote 10 songs about the 2008 Red Sox.
Alex Speier of WEEI tells us Jacoby Ellsbury was almost a Tampa Bay Devil Ray back when they had the devil in their name.
Gary Marbry of WEEI has some Tuesday “tied for first” nuggets.
For the Providence area Red Sox fans, the trophy will be there at McFadden’s Wednesday night.
Lineups and batter/pitcher matchups after the jump.
89-61
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, LF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Mark Kotsay, RF
7. Jed Lowrie, SS
8. Jason Varitek, C
9. Coco Crisp, CF
– Josh Beckett, SP
88-60
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
– Andy Sonnanstine, SP
And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers
