After an epic comeback last night, the Boston Red Sox look to make things a little easier in game two of a three-game set with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Astros television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Houston. If you don’t live in either market, you may be in luck as the game is scheduled to be shown on the MLB Network in certain parts of the country. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
After a strong outing his last time on the bump, Andrew Miller looks to solidify his status in the Red Sox rotation in his third start of 2011. In his previous two starts, Miller is 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA, which also marks his record in interleague play this year. He made one start against the Astros in 2010 as a member of the Florida Marlins and received a no decision after allowing one run in five innings of work. He’s made two career starts against the Astros and is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA (6 ER/10 IP). His lone career start at Minute Maid Park came back in 2008 as a member of the Marlins where he took the loss after allowing five runs in five innings of work. He’s made 12 career interleague starts and is 5-5 with a 3.62 ERA.
J. A. Happ looks to stop a personal five-game losing skid tonight in his 17th start of 2011. In his previous 16 starts, Happ is 3-9 with a 5.54 ERA. He’s faced the Red Sox once in his career, coming back in 2009 as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. In that start, he picked up a no decision after allowing five runs in 5.2 innings. He’s made six career interleague starts and is 1-1 with a 4.98 ERA. Happ has made two interleague starts in 2011 and is 0-1 with an 11.74 ERA (10 ER/7.2 IP).
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 tonight’s lineups:
47-34 | 29-54 | ||
1. Jacoby Ellsbury |
CF | 1. Michael Bourn | CF |
2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 2. Angel Sanchez | 2B |
3. Adrian Gonzalez | RF | 3. Hunter Pence | RF |
4. Kevin Youkilis | 3B | 4. Carlos Lee | 1B |
5. David Ortiz | 1B | 5. Jason Michaels | LF |
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C | 6. Chris Johnson | 3B |
7. Darnell McDonald | LF | 7. J. R. Towles | C |
8. Marco Scutaro | SS | 8. Clint Barmes | SS |
9. Andrew Miller | P | 9. J. A. Happ | P |
And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:
Notes: The Red Sox game against the Yankees on August 7th will be televised on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball and begin at 8:05 p.m.
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Nation STATion: 81 down, 81 to go [CSNNE.com]
Notes: Ellsbury, Ortiz back in lineup, Gonzalez to RF [CSNNE.com]
Pregame notes: Gonzalez in right [ESPN Boston]
Grading the 1st half of the Red Sox season [Extra Bases]
What Carlos Lee tells us about J.D. Drew’s deal [Full Count]
Red Sox Bullpen Dominates, Astros’ Does Not in Series Opener in Houston [NESN.com]
Jon Lester’s Two-Hit, Seven-Inning Victory over Phillies Earns Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors [NESN.com]
Mike Lowell Presented With Baseball Legacy Award at The Tradition at TD Garden [NESN.com]
David Ortiz, Red Sox Look to Take Advantage of J.A. Happ’s Struggles Against Lefties [NESN.com]
Video: Jacoby Ellsbury Still Battling Flu, But Healthy Enough to Return to Red Sox Lineup [NESN.com]
Hottovy anxious to return to big leagues [Projo Sox Blog]
Josh Reddick being more selective at the plate [Projo Sox Blog]
Yamaico Navarro has more experience in the outfield than you’d think [Projo Sox Blog]
With Crawford out, Francona juggling McDonald and Reddick [Projo Sox Blog]
Beckett, Crawford return home to Houston [Projo Sox Blog]
Franklin Morales finding groove out of Red Sox bullpen [Projo Sox Blog]
Miller looks to improve to 2-0 on the season [RedSox.com]
Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo