After taking three-of-four from the Chicago Youk’s, the Boston Red Sox will finish up their seven-game homestand. Tonight, they’ll welcome the Toronto Blue Jays for the first game of a three-game set at historic Fenway Park.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Blue Jays television market, you can watch the game on Rogers SportsNet. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.
Josh Beckett looks to finally turn the corner in his 16th start of 2012. In his previous 15 starts, Beckett is 5-7 with a 4.44 ERA. He has not faced the Jays in 2012 and was 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA (1 ER/10.2 IP) in two starts in 2011. He’s made 16 career starts against the Blue Jays and is 4-6 with a 6.30 ERA. Nine of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 3-4 with a 4.97 ERA.
Aaron Laffey makes his fifth start (ninth appearance) of 2012 for John Farrell. In his previous eight appearances (four starts), Laffey is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA. In his only start of 2012 against the Red Sox and picked up no decision after throwing six shutout innings back on June 26th. Laffey has made seven career appearances (two starts) and is 0-1 with a 5.94 ERA. Six of those appearances (two starts) have come at the Fens where he is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA.
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:
45-47 | 48-45 | ||
1. Anthony Gose | RF | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
2. Colby Rasmus | CF | 2. Carl Crawford | LF |
3. Edwin Encarnacion | 1B | 3. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
4. Adam Lind | DH | 4. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
5. J.P. Arencibia | C | 5. Cody Ross | RF |
6. Kelly Johnson | 2B | 6. Will Middlebrooks | 3B |
7. Yunel Escobar | SS | 7. Kelly Shoppach | C |
8. Travis Snider | LF | 8. Mike Aviles | SS |
9. Yan Gomes | 3B | 9. Pedro Ciriaco | DH |
Aaron Laffey | SP | Josh Beckett | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
NOTES:
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To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Dustin Pedroia can drive foes crazy now [boston herald]
Sox should heed caution on big deal [boston herald]
Clay Buchholz Starting to Look Like He Could Be Ace Red Sox Need for Second-Half Surge [tom caron – nesn.com]
Saltalamacchia gets more time off from funk [clubhouse insider]
Red Sox notes: Valentine doesn’t believe in momentum [csn new england]
Olney: Sox early favorites for Garza [espn boston]
Taking the pulse of Red Sox Nation [espn boston]
Francona responds to Crawford dig [espn boston]
Beckett tries to keep Sox rolling [espn boston]
Tentative ’13 schedule: Sox open in Bronx [espn boston]
Blue Jays, Astros make 10-player trade [extra bases]
Ted Williams stamp debuts today [extra bases]
Valentine: Starters ready to get on a roll [extra bases]
Cody Ross’ Bat Flip Has Become As Captivating As Outfielder’s Monster Home Runs (Gallery) [nesn.com]
Matt Garza Could Be Realistic Option for Red Sox, Especially Given History in AL East [nesn.com]
Adrian Gonzalez, Cody Ross Hitting Stride at Right Time As Red Sox Open Big Series With Toronto [nesn.com]
Who Should Fill In As Designated Hitter in David Ortiz’s Abscence? [nesn.com]
Trags Bag: Why now is time to reload, not rebuild, for Red Sox [mike petraglia – weei.com]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Blue Jays and Minutiae [projo sox blog]
What would a pitching upgrade be worth to the Red Sox? [projo sox blog]
Bailey and Hill each progressing [projo sox blog]
Cook slowly adding cutter to pitch mix [projo sox blog]
Coming off gritty win, Beckett faces Blue Jays [redsox.com]
Hamate injury not slowing Jacobs [soxprospects.com]
Understanding an epic struggle: Why prospect Shaq Thompson’s slump is no laughing matter [alex speier – weei.com]
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photo credits: reuters pictures, getty images