After losing 9-2 last night, the Boston Red Sox look to avoid being swept this afternoon in finale of a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays in the “Battle For The Basement” at historic Fenway Park.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Blue Jays television market, you can catch 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.
Clay Buchholz makes his 25th start of the season this afternoon. In his previous 24 starts, Buchholz is 11-5 with a 4.47 ERA. He picked up the win in his only start of 2012 against the Jays after allowing two runs in eight innings of work back on June 1st. He’s made 13 career appearances (12 starts) against Toronto and is 8-3 with a 2.55 ERA. Four of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA.
Carlos Villanueva makes his 13th start (35th appearance) for the Jays. In his previous 34 appearances (12 starts), Villanueva is 7-5 with a 3.42 ERA. He’s made two appearances (one start) against the local nine this season and is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA (4 ER/7.1 IP). Villanueva has made seven career appearances (two starts) against the Red Sox and is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA. In three appearances (two starts) at the Fens, he is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA.
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 today’s lineups:
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| 1. Brett Lawrie | 3B | 1. Ryan Kalish | RF |
| 2. Colby Rasmus | CF | 2. Scott Podsednik | LF |
| 3. Edwin Encarnacion | DH | 3. Dustin Pedroia | 2B |
| 4. Adam Lind | 1B | 4. James Loney | 1B |
| 5. Rajai Davis | LF | 5. Cody Ross | DH |
| 6. Anthony Gose | RF | 6. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF |
| 7. Jeff Mathis | C | 7. Mike Aviles | SS |
| 8. Omar Vizquel | 2B | 8. Ryan Lavarnway | C |
| 9. Adeiny Hechavarria | SS | 9. Pedro Ciriaco | 3B |
| Carlos Villanueva | SP | Clay Buchholz | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
NOTES: Daniel Nava has been activated from the disabled list.
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Doubront is game to keep helping Sox [boston globe]
Take me out to the (foot)ball game [boston globe]
Dice-K can’t halt skid [boston herald]
The Dirty Dozen [boston herald]
When darkness falls [boston herald]
In Sox’ blame pie, Theo’s just a slice [boston herald]
Seasons gone south-paw [boston herald]
Lackey passes first BP exam [boston herald]
Bobby V: Ortiz likely to be shut down, Dice-K in limbo [clubhouse insider]
Dice-K, Sox washed away, 9-2 [csn new england]
Daisuke douses Red Sox chances [csn new england]
Fallen down, and can’t get up [espn boston]
Slumping Ellsbury dropped to 6 hole [espn boston]
Has Matsuzaka made his last start in Boston? [espn boston]
Could these be Matsuzaka’s last days in a Sox uniform? [extra bases]
Red Sox may dump Dice-K from rotation [extra bases]
Clayton Mortensen Eyeing Full-Time Roster Spot With Red Sox in 2013 [nesn.com]
Daisuke Matsuzaka Doesn’t Want to Run Away From Problems, Acknowledges Burden on Team [nesn.com]
Matsuzaka could be removed from Red Sox rotation [projo sox blog]
Daniel Nava activated from disabled list [projo sox blog]
Buchholz looks to put Sox back in win column [redsox.com]
Dealing with sore back, Salty gets a rest [redsox.com]
Doubront hopeful team doesn’t shut him down [redsox.com]
Lackey takes step forward, throws batting practice [redsox.com]
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photo credits: getty images, getty images
