After being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays last weekend, the Boston Red Sox look to return the favor this afternoon in the finale of a three-game set at Fenway Park.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Rays television market, you can catch the game on Sun Sports. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.
Jon Lester toes the rubber for the 12th time and sixth time at Fenway Park this season. In his previous 11 starts, Lester is 5-6 with a 3.45 ERA. He has not faced the Rays this season and was 2-1 with a 4.32 in four starts in 2013. He’s made 26 career starts against them and is 12-9 with a 4.30 ERA. 17 of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 7-7 with a 4.31 ERA.
Erik Bedard, a one-time member of the Red Sox, makes his ninth start (10th appearance) of 2014 for the Rays. In his previous nine appearances (eight starts), Bedard is 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA. He picked up a no decision against the Red Sox on April 29 after allowing one run in five innings of work. He’s made 15 career appearances (14 starts) against the local nine and is 5-5 with a 4.50 ERA. He’s made 13 career starts at the Fens and is 3-5 with a 5.40 ERA.
 23-33 |
 26-29 |
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| 1. Ben Zobrist | SS | 1. Brock Holt | 1B |
| 2. Desmond Jennings | CF | 2. Xander Bogaerts | SS |
| 3. Evan Longoria | 3B | 3. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 4. Jerry Sands | DH | 4. David Ortiz | DH |
| 5. Sean Rodriguez | LF | 5. Jonny Gomes | LF |
| 6. Logan Forsythe | 2B | 6. Alex Hassan | RF |
| 7. James Loney | 1B | 7. David Ross | C |
| 8. Jose Molina | C | 8. Jackie Bradley, Jr. | CF |
| 9. Kevin Kiermaier | RF | 9. Jonathan Herrera | 3B |
| Erik Bedard | SP | Jon Lester | SP |
NOTES:
3B Garin Cecchini has been called up from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room on the 25-man roster, RP Alex Wilson was optioned to the PawSox.
Yunel Escobar was in the original lineup for the Rays and was replaced by Kiermaier
Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.
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Xander Bogaerts likely to play exclusively third base, might bat leadoff once Stephen Drew returns [clubhouse insider]
Garin Cecchini ‘just trying to live this day’ after being called up to majors [clubhouse insider]
Holt continues strong play with nice snag, first homer [csn new england]
Cecchini ecstatic to be with Sox after call-up [csn new england]
Cecchini soaks in life in the bigs [espn boston]
Updates on Sox DL Guys [extra days]
The tale of the utility men: Brock Holt, Jonathan Herrera key win over Rays [full count]
Is Ortiz “bigger than the game”? Maybe he is [providence journal]
Bogaerts to play third base full-time once Drew arrives [providence journal]
Garin Cecchini is excited and ready to go [providence journal]
Lester, Sox seek sweep of Rays, seventh straight win [red sox gameday]
Red Sox calling up third-base prospect Cecchini [red sox]
A gem worth the wait: Rubby De La Rosa’s lesson in player development [alex speier – weei]
photo credits: getty images, getty images
