After a dismal April and first two games of the homestand, the Boston Red Sox look to once again salvage the finale of a series this time around against the Seattle Mariners this afternoon at Fenway Park.
First pitch for this afternoon is at 1:35 p.m. and the game will be televised by NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Mariners television market, you can catch the game on Root Sports. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
Tim Wakefield fills in today for Clay Buchholz who is battling a small case of the flu. Wake has no record with a 5.56 ERA in seven appearances this season. He made one start against the Mariners in 2010 taking the loss after allowing three runs in 5.2 innings. Overall in his career, he’s made 27 appearances (17 starts) against the Mariners and is 4-10 with a 4.18 ERA. He’s made 16 appearances (113 starts) against the M’s at Fenway Park and is 3-6 with a 3.74 ERA.
The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez looks to help his team to a sweep this afternoon. He’s made six starts in 2011 and is 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA. He made one start against the Red Sox in 2010 picking up the win after allowing two runs (one earned) in 7.1 IP). He’s made eight career starts against the Red Sox and is 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA. He’s enjoyed great success at Fenway Park where he is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four starts.
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the overnight and morning if you’re on the home page.
Here are this afternoon’s lineups:
 13-15 |
 11-15 |
||
| 1. Ichiro Suzuki | RF | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 2. Chone Figgins | 3B | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Ryan Langerhans | LF | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 4. Miguel Olivo | C | 4. David Ortiz | DH |
| 5. Justin Smoak | 1B | 5. J.D. Drew | RF |
| 6. Jack Cust | DH | 6. Jed Lowrie | 3B |
| 7. Luis Rodriguez | SS | 7. Marco Scutaro |
SS |
| 8. Michael Saunders | CF | 8. Carl Crawford | LF |
| 9. Jack Wilson | 2B | 9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C |
| Felix Hernandez | SP | Tim Wakefield | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against this afternoon’s starting pitchers:
Check back and/or refresh often 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
Lack of offense for Sox [Boston Globe]
After a month, season is off to a startling start [Boston Globe]
No call for backup [Boston Globe]
Wakefield forced into a tough spot [Boston Globe]
Red Sox waste opportunities, lose to Mariners [Boston Herald]
High ‘n’ mighty? [Boston Herald]
Sox show little here to love [Boston Herald]
Wake’s start hits spot [Boston Herald]
David Oritz first month makes T-shirt moot [Boston Herald]
Mike Cameron adjusts [Boston Herald]
As the Red Sox’ rotation turns, Josh Beckett pushed back [Clubhouse Insider]
Sox miss chances, fall to Mariners, 2-0 [CSNNE.com]
Lackey not focused on run support [CSNNE.com]
Red Sox notes: Sox continue to struggle with RISP [CSNNE.com]
Notes: Youk sits out, Wakefield gets starting nod [CSNNE.com]
Rapid reaction: Mariners 2, Sox 0 [ESPN Boston]
Offense fails to back up Lackey [ESPN Boston]
Wakefield, Red Sox meet King Felix, Mariners [ESPN Boston]
Lester starts Tuesday [Extra Bases]
Weaver scratched; could face Red Sox next [Extra Bases]
Ichiro styling on a Sunday morning [Extra Bases]
Closing Time: Sox go 0-for-11 with RISP to spoil solid Lackey start [Full Count]
Pregame Notes: Youkilis held out so that sore hip won’t ‘linger’ [Full Count]
Red Sox Continue to Struggle in One-Run Games, Bullpen Faces Tough Couple of Days Ahead [NESN.com]
Peter Abraham Says Tim Wakefield’s Role With Red Sox Is Like a Reality Show [NESN.com]
What Grade Would You Give the Red Sox for April? [NESN.com]
John Lackey Says His Fastball Command Versus Mariners Wasn’t as Good as It Was in His Last Start [NESN.com]
Francona shuffling starting rotation [Projo Sox Blog]
Okajima submits best outing of season [Projo Sox Blog]
Victor Martinez to play at Pawtucket this week [Projo Sox Blog]
Just another night of total frustration [Providence Journal]
Francona running out of options to spur struggling Sox [Providence Journal]
Red Sox highs and lows of April [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Despite Pedroia’s recent struggles, Tito’s not worried [Providence Journal]
Contrasting pitchers take Fenway hill [RedSox.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to The Oregonian, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times and Tacoma Tribune websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Mariner Mayhem.
Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo
