After splitting a two-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox continue their eight-game road trip with the start of interleague play in the City of Brotherly Love. Tonight, they’ll take on the Philadelphia Phillies in the first of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.
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 Phillies television market, you can catch the game on Comcast SportsNet Philly. And if you don’t live in either market you are in luck as MLB Network will also have coverage of the game. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
Daniel Bard looks to even up his record in his eighth appearance (seventh start) of 2012. In his previous seven appearances (eight starts), Bard is 3-4 with a 4.30 ERA. Bard made one appearance in 2011 against the Phillies and had no record with 0.00 ERA (0 ER/1 IP). All of his four career appearances against the Phillies have come in the City of Brotherly Love where he has no record with a 9.82 ERA (4 ER/3.2 IP).
Cole Hamels has been solid for the Phillies this season and will be making his eighth start of the year. In his previous seven starts, Hamels is 5-1 with a 2.28 ERA. He made one appearance against the Red Sox in 2011 and picked up a no decision after four scoreless innings. Hamel has made four career starts against the Red Sox and is 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA (4 ER/25 IP).
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.
Here are today’s lineups:
 18-20 |
 20-19 |
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| 1. Mike Aviles | SS | 1. Jimmy Rollins | SS |
| 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 2. Juan Pierre | LF |
| 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B | 3. Shane Victorino | CF |
| 4. Cody Ross | RF | 4. Hunter Pence | RF |
| 5. Will Middlebrooks | 3B | 5. Carlos Ruiz | C |
| 6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C | 6. Ty Wigginton | 3B |
| 7. Daniel Nava | LF | 7. John Mayberry | 1B |
| 8. Marlon Byrd | CF | 8. Freddy Galvis | 2B |
| 9. Daniel Bard | P | 9. Cole Hamels | P |
| Daniel Bard | SP | Cole Hamels | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
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Papelbon: ‘Cinco’s always got the advantage’ [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]
Matsuzaka: ‘I feel fine right now’ [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]
Facing the Phillies sparks memory of Daniel Nava’s smashing debut [Clubhouse Insider]
Papelbon ready to take on the Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]
Matsuzaka: ‘I’m at a good place right now’ with mechanics [Clubhouse Insider]
Playing the Sox is weird for Pap . . . but not for Cinco [CSN New England]
Report: Oswalt throws bullpen session for Red Sox [CSN New England]
Halladaaay! . . . Celebraaate! [CSN New England]
And the Gonzalez streak goes on [CSN New England]
Papelbon — or is it Cinco? — looks to earn bragging rights vs. Sox [CSN New England]
Dice-K “at a good place” with rehab [CSN New England]
Is Youkilis on the trading block? [CSN New England]
Hot Button: Middlebrooks or Youkilis? [ESPN Boston]
Papelbon looking forward to facing ex-mates [ESPN Boston]
Report: Oswalt throws for Red Sox [Extra Bases]
MLB suspends Manuel for tonight’s game [Extra Bases]
Papelbon, and alter ego Cinco-Ocho, can’t wait for Sox-Phillies series [Extra Bases]
David Ortiz on deck for Saturday’s game [Extra Bases]
Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon in spotlight after comments about Red Sox [Full Count]
Kevin Millar on M&M: ‘I like Adrian [Gonzalez] with a little fire’ [Full Count]
Cody Ross returns to the city that hates him [Full Count]
The creator of Cinco Ocho, Alex Cora, explains how Jonathan Papelbon found his alter-ego [Full Count]
Which Red Sox Infielder Should Play the Most Outfield During Interleague Play? [NESN.com]
Red Sox Mailbag: Kevin Youkilis’ Return May Mean Return to Pawtucket for Will Middlebrooks [NESN.com]
Boston, Philadelphia Set to Face Off Once Again in a Battle for Sports Supremacy [NESN.com]
Vote: Does Bobby Valentine or Charlie Manuel Face a Tougher Challenge as Manager This Season? [NESN.com]
Jonathan Papelbon Looking for Bragging Rights Against Red Sox, Wants to Strike Out ‘Big Sloppy’ [NESN.com]
Daisuke Matsuzaka Says He’s at ‘Good Place’ in Rehab, Feels Close to Returning to Red Sox [NESN.com]
Carlos Ruiz on Fire As Phillies Host Red Sox for Three-Game Series [NESN.com]
Nick Punto Receives 2011 World Series Ring From Tony LaRussa Before Game in Philadelphia (Photo) [NESN.com]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Phillies and Ben Franklin [Projo Sox Blog]
Barnes continues roll for Salem [Projo Sox Blog]
Healthy, confident Matsuzaka: “I’m in a good place now” [Projo Sox Blog]
Papelbon and Cinco Ocho both looking forward to facing Red Sox [Projo Sox Blog]
Youkilis looking for groove during rehab games [Projo Sox Blog]
Middlebrooks hits first slump at the plate [Projo Sox Blog]
Melancon still dominating Triple-A [Projo Sox Blog]
Bard gets nod as Sox open Interleague Play [RedSox.com]
Papelbon — and alter ego — excited to face Sox [RedSox.com]
Checking on repeat players [SoxProspects.com]
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Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images
