ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 10: Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Boston Red Sox follows the action against the Los Angeles Angels during the eight inning at Angel Stadium April 10, 2009 in Anaheim, California. Angels won, 6-3.  (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Boston Red Sox and the Oakland A’s are set to do battle tonight at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum at 10:05 PM in the second game of a 3-game set. The game will be broadcast on NESN and is also available on MLB.tv if you live out of the Boston market and are a subscriber. The game can also be heard on the Red Sox Radio Network and if you’re a member of Red Sox Nation, you can listen to the game on MLB Gameday Audio.

Daisuke Matsuzaka is looking to get the Red Sox winning engines started up again. Dice-K is 2-1 with a 2.55 ERA in 4 career starts and  is 1-1 with a 1.98 ERA in 2 games on the road against the A’s.

Bob Geren hands the ball to another lefty in Dana Eveland. He has made one career start against the Red Sox. He gave up 9 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks in just 2 innings of work. Let’s hope that happens again tonight.

Obviously the biggest news of the day was the fact that Josh Beckett was suspended for 6 games for his role in the incident on Sunday. Beckett has decided to appeal the suspension.

“We were pretty shocked,” said Beckett. “The appeal speaks for everything we feel.”

“I think every pitcher does that,” he said. “I’ve seen guys throw balls to the backstops. It’s what we’re taught to do. We have to protect ourselves in those situations, and stopping is not a good way to do that. You can end your career with one bad slip, or something like that. . . That ball could have ended up anywhere. It’s unfortunate where it ended up.”

Beckett responds to suspension [Projo Sox Blog]

Why not to worry [Extra Bases]

Josh Beckett clarifies decision to appeal suspension [Full Count]

Sox claim Denker [Projo Sox Blog]

‘Shocked’ Beckett will appeal suspension [Extra Bases]

Doug Mirabelli would like to sell you a home [Surviving Grady]

Lowrie to see hand specialist [Projo Sox Blog]

Lugo continues rehab [Projo Sox Blog]

Here’s to all the rehabbers in F.L.A [Projo Sox Blog]

Penny: It doesn’t make sense [Full Count]

Who needs umpires? [Tony Mazz]

Here are the starting lineups for tonight’s game:

Boston Red Sox2-5

Oakland Athletics3-4

1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF 1. Ryan Sweeney CF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B 2. Orlando Cabrera SS
3. David Ortiz DH 3. Jason Giambi 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis 1B 4. Matt Holliday LF
5. J.D. Drew RF 5. Jack Cust DH
6. Jason Bay LF 6. Nomar Garciaparra DH
7. Mike Lowell 3B 7. Kurt Suzuki C
8. Jason Varitek C 8. Travis Buck RF
9. Nick Green SS 9. Mark Ellis 2B
Daisuke Matsuzaka SP Dana Eveland SP

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

Boston Red Sox vs Oakland A's batter/pitcher matchups