Afternoon Red Sox Delight – Memorial Day 2009

After taking over first place in the AL East yesterday with a 12-5 win over the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox kick off a 10-game road trip in Minneapolis with the Minnesota Twins. They take on the Twins in a 4-game set and then head to Toronto and Detroit for three games each.

The game this afternoon will start at 2:10  PM EDT and will be televised in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Twins television market, you can catch the game on WFTC UPN 29.  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 looks to build upon a successful outing his last time out against the Blue Jays this afternoon. On the season, Penny is 4-1 with a 6.07 ERA in 8 starts. He has faced the Twins once this year, picking up the win after allowing 3 runs (2 earned) in 6 innings back on April 22. He has never faced the Twins at the Metrodome and is 1-0 with a 5.25 ERA in two starts against them.

Francisco Liriano looks to push the Twins winning streak to 5 games this afternoon when he takes the ball for skipper Ron Gardenhire. Liriano’s had a rough season so far as he is 2-5 with a 6.04 ERA. Liriano has faced the Red Sox only once in his career and that came in the win by Penny. In that game, Liriano was tagged for 7 runs on in 4 innings.

Win a Kevin Youkilis autographed jersey [Bernies]

Ortiz sits again today — lineup drop possible tomorrow? [Projo Sox Blog]

Lowrie hits off tee for the first time, could be three weeks away [Projo Sox Blog]

Would playing the field benefit Ortiz? [Extra Bases]

Kottaras hitting his stride [NESN.com]

Fenway Puck: Red Sox’ Home to Host NHL Winter Classic [Biz of Baseball]

NY Post Photographer Angers Papelbon [Fenway West]

Here are the lineups for this afternoon’s game:

And here is how the hitters have fared against this afternoon’s starting pitchers.