After blowout wins for each team in the first two games, the Boston Red Sox will host the Chicago Cubs in the finale of a three-game set and a seven-game homestand tonight at Fenway Park.
Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 8:05 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ESPN. You can also catch the game online at ESPN3.com where available. 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 steps on the slab for the first time since May 11th in his third start of 2011. He’s made 11 appearances (two starts) and is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA. He’s made six appearances (five starts) against the Cubs in his career with only one of them coming as a member of the Red Sox. In those six appearances (five starts), Wake is 3-1 with a 3.68 ERA.
James Russell steps in for former Red Sox killer Matt Garza who was scratched yesterday with tightness in his pitching arm. He’s made 13 appearances (four starts) this season and is 1-4 with a 6.26 ERA. His only career appearance against the Red Sox on Friday night when he allowed two hits over three innings of work.
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 tonight’s lineups:
 20-24 |
 24-21 |
||
| 1. Kosuke Fukudome | RF | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 2. Darwin Barney | 2B | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Starlin Castro | SS | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 4. Aramis Ramirez | 3B | 4. Kevin Youkilis | 3B |
| 5. Carlos Pena | 1B | 5. David Ortiz | DH |
| 6. Jeff Baker | LF | 6. Jed Lowrie | SS |
| 7. Alfonso Soriano | DH | 7. Mike Cameron | RF |
| 8. Welington Castillo | C | 8. Carl Crawford | LF |
| 9. Reed Johnson | CF | 9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C |
| James Russell |
SP | Tim Wakefield | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’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
Aceves relieves one issue [Boston Globe]
Why this is a big start for Wakefield [Clubhouse Insider]
Notes: Lackey and Jenks make progress [CSNNE.com]
Ageless Wakefield gets another turn [ESPN Boston]
Video: Crawford on Boston fans [ESPN Boston]
Sox, Cubs close series at Fenway [ESPN Boston]
Lackey, Jenks continue to make progress [ESPN Boston]
Cubs place Byrd on DL after beaning by Aceves [ESPN Chicago]
Run To Home Base a success [Extra Bases]
Report: Byrd to go on DL [Extra Bases]
Red Sox still can’t complete turnaround [FOXSports.com]
Carlos Pena was ‘fearful’ for Marlon Byrd before hospital visit [Full Count]
Cubs’ Marlon Byrd on DL with facial fractures [Projo Sox Blog]
Youkilis sets HBP record, fails to get souvenir ball [Projo Sox Blog]
Lackey progressing [Projo Sox Blog]
Youkilis rebounding nicely from rough April, but still has room for improvement [Providence Journal]
‘Balanced’ Gonzalez belongs in Boston [RedSox.com]
Knuckle up: Wake gets spot-start in rubber game [RedSox.com]
For Hill, facing former team not weird [RedSox.com]
Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo
