After falling last night, the Boston Red Sox look to close out the month of August with a win as well as hold on to first place in the AL East in the second game of a three-game set against the New York Yankees tonight at Historic Fenway Park.
Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Yankees broadcast area, you can catch the game on the YES Network. If you don’t live in either market, you’re in luck as ESPN will have coverage of the game. Where available, the game can also be seen online at ESPN3.com. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
The Commander, Josh Beckett, takes the mound for a team-leading 26th start. In his previous 25 starts, Beckett is 11-5 with a 2.43 ERA. He’s made four starts against the Yankees in 2011 and is 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA (3 ER/27 IP). He’s made 26 career starts against the Yankees and has a record of 13-7 with a 5.37 ERA. 13 of those career starts have come at the Fens where he is 5-4 with a 5.79 ERA.
Phil Hughes makes his 13th appearance (12th start) of the season for the Yanks. In his previous 12 appearances (11 starts), Hughes is 4-4 with a 6.46 ERA. He’s made two appearances (one start) against the Red Sox in 2011 and is 0-1 with a 27.00 ERA (7 ER/2.1 IP). Overall in his career, Hughes has made 15 appearances (seven starts) and is 2-4 with a 6.25 ERA. Seven of those appearances (three starts) have come at the Fens where he is 2-2 with an 8.83 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 this evening’s lineups:
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| 1. Brett Gardner | LF | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 2. Derek Jeter | SS | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Curtis Granderson | CF | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 4. Mark Teixeira | 1B | 4. David Ortiz | DH |
| 5. Robinson Cano | 2B | 5. Jed Lowrie | 3B |
| 6. Nick Swisher | RF | 6. Carl Crawford | LF |
| 7. Eric Chavez | DH | 7. Josh Reddick | RF |
| 8. Eduardo Nunez | 3B | 8. Jason Varitek | C |
| 9. Francisco Cervelli | C | 9. Marco Scutaro | SS |
| Phil Hughes | SP | Josh Beckett | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.
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Sox acquire indy leaguer Gathright [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
On CC, Cervelli, and praise-worthy Sox [Chad Finn’s Touching All The Bases]
Ryan Kalish to have surgery [Clubhouse Insider]
Pregame notes: Drew injures finger, Theo says waiver trade ‘unlikely’ [Clubhouse Insider]
Theo Epstein on Cubs rumors: ‘I’m all Red Sox, all the time’ [Clubhouse Insider]
Saltalamacchia on Cervelli: How ‘Latin players’ play [CSN New England]
Red Sox-Yankees fire seemed forced [CSN New England]
Epstein speaks on all things Red Sox [CSN New England]
Notes: Drew sprains finger, Friday return “unlikely” [CSN New England]
Yankees’ Ability to Keep Up With Red Sox in AL East Has Been Major Surprise [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]
W2W4: Beckett vs. Hughes tonight [ESPN Boston]
Saltalamacchia’s clarification [ESPN Boston]
Beckett on hill for Sox-Yankees Round 2 [ESPN Boston]
Beckett has had the Yankees’ number in ’11 [ESPN Boston]
W2W4: Red Sox-Yankees, 7 ET [ESPN Boston]
Kalish to have season-ending surgery [ESPN Boston]
Drew sprains middle finger in latest setback [ESPN Boston]
Vaughn, Valentin feel at home at Fenway [ESPN Boston]
Boston Red Sox’s Bobby Jenks still not healthy enough to pitch [Extra Bases]
Mark Teixeira and what might have been [Extra Bases]
Last day for any roster additions [Extra Bases]
Red Sox sign Joey Gathright [Extra Bases]
Epstein addresses Cubs rumors [Extra Bases]
Drew sprains finger; return uncertain [Extra Bases]
The Hit Dog returns to Fenway Park [Extra Bases]
Ryan Kalish expected to be ready for 2012 following neck surgery [Full Count]
Sox sign lefty Miller to minor league deal [HardBall Talk]
Video: Larry Lucchino Explains How Jimmy Fund Uses Generous Donations [NESN.com]
Red Sox Fans Encouraged to Create ‘Signs of Fenway’ on Sept. 4 to Win Incredible Prize Package [NESN.com]
Ryan Kalish to Undergo Neck Surgery, Will Be Ready for Spring Training [NESN.com]
Bobby Jenks Remains Sidelined, Potential for Late-Season Impact Shrinking [NESN.com]
Arizona Fall League name to watch: Brock Huntzinger [Projo Sox Blog]
John Valentin impressed with Tim Federowicz [Projo Sox Blog]
Ortiz doesn’t want to see another fight [Projo Sox Blog]
Kalish to undergo season-ending surgery [Projo Sox Blog]
Drew suffers setback with finger sprain [Projo Sox Blog]
Miller, Gathright could be among Sept. callups [Projo Sox Blog]
Epstein: “I’ll put a helmet on” for Buchholz [Projo Sox Blog]
Beckett out to stay unbeaten vs. Yankees [RedSox.com]
Podcast: Fenway Park drama [SweetSpot]
Audio: Terry Francona and Joe Girardi on The Big Show for WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon [WEEI.com]
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Photo credits: Getty Images, Reuters Pictures
