Tim Wakefield looks to help the Red Sox leave Tampa tied for 1st.
Sorry folks for the lack of posting today. I’ve had a wicked pissah of headache that was so bad it hurt to look at the computer screen. I’ll be playing catchup on the day’s events during the evening so please bear with me.
The Boston Red Sox will be playing the Tampa Bay Rays for the final time in the regular season tonight with a chance to leave Tampa tied for 1st place or 2 games behind in the AL East. The Red Sox do have the right guy on the mound though in Tim Wakefield.
Wakefield has owned the Rays in his career as evidenced by his 19-4 record with a 3.10 ERA in 40 appearances (30 starts). His record at Tropicana Field is 9-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 22 games (16 starts). Wakefield has faced the Rays twice this season and is 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA. The last time out against the Rays, he took a 3-1 loss against tonight’s Rays starter Matt Garza.
Garza will be making his 4th start of this season against the Red Sox and 6th overall in his career. He is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA this season and is 3-1 with a 3.54 ERA lifetime.
Curt Schilling blasted Manny Ramirez today in his appearance on WEEI today.
The Red Sox plan to consult hip specialists about Mike Lowell’s hip. Lowell also talked about his ailing hip before the game today.
Michael Berger of WEEI takes another look at the Red Sox in one-run games.
Alex Speier of WEEI looks at the weird magic number logic of Joe Maddon.
Lineups and batter/pitcher matchups after the jump.
89-62
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, LF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. Mark Kotsay, RF
6. Jed Lowrie, SS
7. Sean Casey, 1B
8. Coco Crisp, CF
9. Kevin Cash, C
-Tim Wakefield, SP
89-60
1. Akinori Iwamura, 2B
2. Jason Bartlett, SS
3. Carlos Pena, 1B
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. Willy Aybar, DH
6. Dioner Navarro, C
7. Justin Ruggiano, LF
8. Gabe Gross, RF
9. Fernando Perez, CF
– Matt Garza, SP
And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers
