After splitting a two-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Boston Red Sox will host the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game series that could very well determine which team will make the playoffs. They’ll kick off the four-game set with game one tonight at Historic Fenway Park.
Today’s 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 Rays television market, you can catch the game on Sun Sports. Depending on where you live, you might also be able to catch the game on the MLB Network. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
Kyle Weiland goes in search of his first MLB win in his fourth start (fifth appearance) of 2011 for the Red Sox. In his previous four appearances (three starts), Weiland is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. His only career start against the Rays came his last time out on September 10th at the Trop. In that start, he picked up a no decision after allowing three runs in four innings of work.
Rookie Jeremy Hellickson looks to bolster his AL Rookie of the Year candidacy in his 27th start of 2011. In his previous 26 starts, Hellickson is 12-10 with a 2.96 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Red Sox this season and is 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA. Overall in his career, he’s made four appearances (three starts) against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with a 4.95 ERA. He’s made two appearances (one start) at the Fens and is 1-0 with a 6.93 ERA (5 ER/7 IP). He is the only rookie starter to beat the Red Sox this season at the Fens.
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the overnight and day if you’re on the home page.
Here are this evening’s lineups:
 82-66 |
 86-62 |
||
| 1. Desmond Jennings | LF | 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 2. B.J. Upton | CF | 2. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 3. Evan Longoria | 3B | 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B |
| 4. Ben Zobrist | 2B | 4. David Ortiz | DH |
| 5. Johnny Damon | DH | 5. Kevin Youkilis | 3B |
| 6. Matthew Joyce | RF | 6. Josh Reddick | RF |
| 7. Casey Kotchman | 1B | 7. Carl Crawford | LF |
| 8. John Jaso | C | 8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C |
| 9. Reid Brignac | SS | 9. Marco Scutaro | SS |
| Jeremy Hellickson | SP | Kyle Weiland | 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.
To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click
Kalish had neck surgery Wednesday [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
A season only Jimy Williams could love [Chad Finn’s Touching All the Bases]
Previewing the Red Sox-Rays series with Lauber, Silverman [Clubhouse Insider]
Johnny Damon on Red Sox-Rays: ‘We know what’s at stake’ [Clubhouse Insider]
Francona: Red Sox can’t win without Daniel Bard [Clubhouse Insider]
Nation STATion: Bard has lost his way [CSN New England]
Bard’s slump aside, Sox need Papelbon [CSN New England]
Francona channels his inner Jim Mora [CSN New England]
Notes: Ortiz, Gonzalez back in Red Sox lineup [CSN New England]
Video: State of the Nation with Joey Mac [ESPN Boston]
A closer look at Red Sox-Rays [ESPN Boston]
Buchholz feels good after throwing [ESPN Boston]
Gonzalez, Ortiz feel ‘good enough to play’ [ESPN Boston]
Sox turn to ex-pitching coach to help Bard [ESPN Boston]
Video: Nick Cafardo on Red Sox-Blue Jays [Extra Bases]
Red Sox wives hit the runway for charity [Extra Bases]
Wakefield 200-win hats now available [Extra Bases]
Red Sox not taking advantage of home games [Extra Bases]
Pregame notes from Fenway Park [Extra Bases]
Jerry Remy on D&C: ‘A split would be fine’ this weekend [Full Count]
How Jason Varitek has captained the Red Sox through stormy waters before [Full Count]
Randy Williams to play for Team USA in 2011 World Cup/Pan Am Games [MLB.com]
How Many Games Will The Red Sox Win During Their Four-Game Series With the Rays? [NESN.com]
Miguel Cabrera Worthy of AL MVP Consideration As Much As Any Red Sox, Yankees [NESN.com]
Terry Francona Energized for Tampa Bay Series, Hopes It Brings Out the Best in Red Sox [NESN.com]
Video: Josh Beckett Not Expected to Have Any Real Limitations Upon Returning to Red Sox Rotation [NESN.com]
Video: Joe Maddon Preaching Message of ‘Just Go Play’ to Rays As They Attempt to Chase Down Red Sox [NESN.com]
Joe Maddon Lived Through Angels’ Collapse in 1995, Hopes Red Sox Experience Same Fate [NESN.com]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Rays and September Baseball! [Projo Sox Blog]
Hell, yeah, you’ve got to panic [Projo Sox Blog]
Francona not about to change the way he uses Bard [Projo Sox Blog]
Just wonderin’…this time about Jacoby Ellsbury [Projo Sox Blog]
Clay Buchholz to throw “full-fledged bullpen” Saturday [Projo Sox Blog]
Gonzalez, Ortiz back in the Red Sox lineup [Projo Sox Blog]
Maddon, Ramos have seen comebacks from other side [Projo Sox Blog]
Wild Card contenders to clash at Fenway Park [RedSox.com]
Coming weeks to reveal much about Red Sox [RedSox.com]
Lowrie gets cortisone shot in ailing left shoulder [RedSox.com]
Tim Wakefield Adds 200th Chapter to 20-Year Tale of Perseverance [Tom Caron – NESN.com]
Boston Red Sox captain Varitek finds his way late in career [USA Today]
Audio: Pedroia: I’m not worried about Bard [WEEI.com]
Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.
Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images
