After being swept out of Texas over the weekend, the Boston Red Sox head to Cleveland, Ohio where they’ll look to take out their frustrations against the Cleveland Indians in a three-game set beginning tonight at Progressive Field.
Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Indians television market, you can catch the game on STO. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
Josh Beckett will try to right the ship for Terry Francona in his first start of the season. In 21 starts in 2010, Beckett was 6-6 with a 5.78 ERA. He made one start against the Indians last year and picked up the win after allowing one run in eight innings back on August 3rd. Overall in his career, he is 3-4 with a 5.56 ERA in seven starts against the Indians. He’s made two career starts at Progressive Field where he is 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA.
Josh Tomlin will make his start of the season for Indians skipper Manny Acta. In 12 starts during his rookie campaign in 2010, Tomlin was 6-4 with a 4.56 ERA. He faced the Red Sox once last year on August 5th and took the loss after allowing four runs in seven innings.
Click the read more button below for the lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and pregame links and if you’re on the home page.
 0-3 |
 1-2 |
||
| 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF | 1. Michael Brantley | CF |
| 2. Carl Crawford | LF | 2. Asdrubal Cabrera | SS |
| 3. Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 3. Shin-Soo Choo | RF |
| 4. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B | 4. Carlos Santana | C |
| 5. Kevin Youkilis | 3B | 5. Travis Hafner | DH |
| 6. David Ortiz | DH | 6. Orlando Cabrera | 2B |
| 7. J.D. Drew | RF | 7. Austin Kearns | LF |
| 8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C | 8. Matt LaPorta | 1B |
| 9. Marco Scutaro | SS | 9. Jack Hannahan | 3B |
| Josh Beckett | SP | Josh Tomlin | SP |
Here’s how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:
Refresh often or check back as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Notes: Crawford to bat second, Pedroia third [CSNNE.com]
Okajima hopes to prove himself in Pawtucket [ESPN Boston]
Saltalamacchia remains behind the plate [ESPN Boston]
Beckett’s extension, one year later [Extra Bases]
Pregame news from Cleveland [Extra Bases]
Clay Buchholz on Big Show: Chemistry with Jarrod Saltalamacchia not ‘something that happens overnight’ [Full Count]
Terry Francona explains his approach toward Carl Crawford’s spot in the lineup [Full Count]
Do You Like Dustin Pedroia Batting Third in the Red Sox Lineup? [NESN.com]
Beckett’s Decline & Pitch Type Stats [Nuggetpalooza]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Indians and Late ’90s Division Series Nostalgia [Projo Sox Blog]
Jason Varitek to play one of next two games [Projo Sox Blog]
Healthy Matsuzaka looks to carry momentum forward [Projo Sox Blog]
Beckett trying to find lost swagger in Cleveland [RedSox.com]
Slow start should concern Red Sox Nation [RedSox.com]
Q&A with Zach Daeges [SoxProspects.com]
