After taking the first three games from the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Red Sox look to complete the sweep this afternoon at Fenway Park while trying to stay in first place by themselves heading into the All-Star break.
Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can catch the game on MASN. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
After being drafted by the Red Sox in the third round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Notre Dame, Kyle Weiland will make his MLB debut today. He’ll start in place of the injured Jon Lester. Weiland has made 17 starts for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox and was 8-6 with a 3.00 ERA. With the PawSox, Weiland has struck out 99 batters in 93 innings while walking 37 and allowing 69 hits.
Mitch Atkins makes just his second start of the 2011 season for the Orioles. In his only start against the Texas Rangers back on July 5th, he picked up a no decision after allowing one run on eight hits in six innings of work. He’s never faced the Red Sox in his brief MLB career that started with the Chicago Cubs.
Click on the read more button below to see tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.
Here are this afternoon’s lineups:
 36-51 |
 54-35 |
||
| 1. J.J. Hardy | SS | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 2. Nick Markakis | RF | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Adam Jones | CF | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 4. Vladimir Guerrero | DH | 4. Kevin Youkilis | 3B |
| 5. Matt Wieters | C | 5. David Ortiz | DH |
| 6. Derek Lee | 1B | 6. Josh Reddick |
LF |
| 7. Mark Reynolds | 3B | 7. Jason Varitek |
C |
| 8. Nolan Reimold | LF | 8. J. D. Drew | RF |
| 9. Robert Andino | 2B | 9. Marco Scutaro | SS |
| Mitch Atkins | SP | Kyle Weiland | SP |
No one on either team has faced this afternoon’s starting pitchers.
Scott Atchison was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for Weiland on the 25-man roster. The Red Sox didn’t have to make a move to add Weiland to the 40-man roster as they had an open spot after the trade of Mike Cameron earlier this week.
Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.
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Video: Big Papi Gives Wakefield a Kiss [SOX & Dawgs]
Who’s better late [Boston Herald]
Ageless wonder [Boston Herald]
Josh Beckett to start All-Star Game [Clubhouse Insider]
Notes: Beckett (knee) fine after side session [CSNNE.com]
Josh Beckett of Boston Red Sox cleared to pitch for AL in MLB All-Star Game [ESPN Boston]
Crawford could be back July 18 [ESPN Boston]
Pregame notes: Beckett cleared to pitch in All-Star Game [Extra Bases]
Video: Terry Francona Eager for Up-Close Look at Kyle Weiland [NESN.com]
Kyle Weiland’s Journey Took Him From New Mexico Swimming Pool to Fenway Park Pitching Mound [NESN.com]
Video: Red Sox Offense Rounding Into Force It Was Expected to Be When Season Began [NESN.com]
Beckett will pitch in All-Star Game [Projo Sox Blog]
Carl Crawford to play for PawSox on Friday and Saturday [Projo Sox Blog]
Behind Weiland, Red Sox eye sweep [RedSox.com]
Video: Will Middlebrooks talks about playing in the Futures Game [RedSox.com]
Francona tells Weiland to enjoy himself [RedSox.com]
