After going 1-5 in their first six games, the Boston Red Sox return home to the friendly confines of historic Fenway Park for the first game of a four-game set with their AL East rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays.
First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Rays television market, you can catch the game on Sun Sports. If you don’t live in either market, you’re in luck as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game as well. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
After getting roughed up in his first start, Josh Beckett looks to right the ship in the home opener for the Red Sox. This will be Beckett’s fifth home opening day start with the Red Sox (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010). On the season, Beckett is 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA (7 ER/4.2 IP). He made three starts against the Rays in 2011 and was 2-0 with a 0.78 ERA (2 ER/23 IP). Beckett has had good success against the Rays in his career as he is 9-4 with a 2.94 in 19 career starts.
David Price gets the ball for Joe Maddon’s Rays squad. Price picked up the win in his first start which came against the New York Yankees after allowing two runs in 6.1 innings on April 7th. Price made five starts against the Red Sox in 2011 and was 3-1 with a 2.93 ERA. Overall in his career, he’s made 10 starts against the boys from Beantown and is 6-3 with a 3.16 ERA. Four of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 3-0 with a 1.75 ERA.
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the overnight and day if you’re on the home page.
Here are today’s lineups:
4-2 | 1-5 | ||
1. Desmond Jennings | CF | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
2. Carlos Pena | 1B | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
3. Evan Longoria | 3B | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
4. Matt Joyce | LF | 4. Kevin Youkilis | 3B |
5. Ben Zobrist | RF | 5. David Ortiz | DH |
6. Jeff Keppinger | 2B | 6. Darnell McDonald | LF |
7. Stephen Vogt | DH | 7. Cody Ross | RF |
8. Jose Molina | C | 8. Mike Aviles | SS |
9. Reid Brignac | SS | 9. Kelly Shoppach | C |
David Price | SP | Josh Beckett | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Beckett excited to be in the driver’s seat [Boston Globe]
Can we home in on any hope here? [Boston Globe]
He’s adjusting to changeup [Boston Globe]
Pedroia will be all ears [Boston Globe]
As Red Sox sputter early, sellout streak in jeopardy [Boston Globe]
GREEN MONSTERS FOR ALL [Boston Globe]
The Fenway Years: Pedro Martinez (1998-2004) [Boston Herald]
It’s a matter of trust [Boston Herald]
Josh Beckett not worried by greeting [Boston Herald]
First baseball game at Fenway: Casey at the bat (and on the mound) [Boston Herald]
Red Sox officially open Fenway, work overtime to beat NY [Boston Herald]
Open wounds hard to close [Boston Herald]
Fenway Park’s Greatest Moments not just from Red Sox [Boston Herald]
Fans find their ‘happy place’ on Yawkey Way [Boston Herald]
Red Sox at Fenway: Our Top 10 List [Boston Herald]
Bobby V says he’s “still holding my breath that Josh is fine” but believes thumb a “moot point” [Clubhouse Insider]
Elbow setback means Carl Crawford return ‘will have to wait a little longer’ [Clubhouse Insider]
Bailey ready to begin rehab, hopes to contribute [Clubhouse Insider]
Pregame notes: Talking Shop(pach); almost Miller’s time [Clubhouse Insider]
On second thought . . . Beckett usually strong after opener [Clubhouse Insider]
Francona regrets controversy over anniversary snub [CSN New England]
‘3 up, 3 down’ [CSN New England]
Sports Tonight: How will fans greet Sox today? [CSN New England]
Elbow strain the latest setback for Crawford [CSN New England]
Video: Time to panic yet? [ESPN Boston]
Our 100 Greatest Red Sox Players [ESPN Boston]
Video: Edes on Red Sox struggles [ESPN Boston]
Somewhere, is Tito smiling at 1-5 start? [ESPN Boston]
Video: As old as Fenway [ESPN Boston]
Catching up: Bobby V interview [ESPN Boston]
Video: State of the Nation with Gordon Edes [ESPN Boston]
What to watch for from Beckett today [ESPN Boston]
Luke Scott: Fenway Park is ‘a dump’ [ESPN Boston]
Last 14 home openers, Sox average 8.3 runs [ESPN Boston]
Bailey: ‘Everything going well as can be’ [ESPN Boston]
Shoppach gets the nod vs. former club [ESPN Boston]
Setback for Crawford, this time with elbow [ESPN Boston]
Schill: ‘Massive’ concern if Josh struggles [ESPN Boston]
Did Schill’s invite get lost in the mail? [ESPN Boston]
A hearty welcome to you, Luke Scott [Extra Bases]
Carl Crawford says he has strained left elbow [Extra Bases]
Henry hoping for some better news [Extra Bases]
Luke Scott on Fenway: ‘Get a new park’ [Extra Bases]
Rob Bradford talks with Seth Everett about all things Red Sox [Full Count]
Nuggetpalooza: Red Sox nuggets from Toronto [Full Count]
Friday morning with Bobby Valentine: Excitement for opener, bated breath for Beckett [Full Count]
Credibility on the line for Red Sox now [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]
Bobby Valentine, Joe Maddon Share Quirky Personalities But Have Different Styles [NESN.com]
Luke Scott Continues to Endear Himself to Red Sox Fans, Calls Fenway Park ‘A Dump’ [NESN.com]
Josh Beckett Could Benefit From Strong Outing in Red Sox’ Home Opener for Many Reasons [NESN.com]
Fenway Park Turns 100, Celebrating a Century in Boston (Photos) [NESN.com]
‘Red Sox Small Talk’ to Kick Off Summer-Long Schedule With Kevin Youkilis [NESN.com]
Send Bobby Valentine Questions to Answer on ‘The Bobby Valentine Show’ [NESN.com]
Bobby Valentine Could Be In Position To Return to 12-Pitcher Roster, Promote Utility Man [NESN.com]
Dustin Pedroia’s contract will limit his free-agent payday [Projo Sox Blog]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Rays and Revenge [Projo Sox Blog]
Pitching staff might drop from 13 to 12 by Saturday [Projo Sox Blog]
Crawford dealing with elbow strain [Projo Sox Blog]
Rays’ Zobrist on Red Sox slow start: “If I was them, I wouldn’t think too much about it” [Projo Sox Blog]
Wakefield and Varitek throw out first pitches; some boos for Beckett and Valentine [Projo Sox Blog]
Red Sox return to Fenway, but will they hear cheers or boos? [Providence Journal]
Pedroia may just be Boston’s best bargain [Providence Journal]
Beckett, Red Sox hope return to Fens turns tides [RedSox.com]
Beckett, Red Sox hope to win back trust of fans [RedSox.com]
How (and why) the 2012 Red Sox were built this way [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Five Things Nobody Wants To See At The Home Opener [Surviving Grady]
Will Red Sox hear boos at home opener? [Touching All The Bases]
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo