After sweeping the Yankees the Sox schedule doesn't get any easier, as now they head to Philly to play the World Champions. Tonight the Sox put Jon Lester on the hill to face for A's pitcher Joe Blanton. Lester is going to need to watch out for Raul Ibanez leads the Phillies with a .322 batting average, 21 home runs and 58 RBIs, and hit a three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning to beat the Mets.
The Sox are going to have some decisions to make this weekend, as David Ortiz seems to be turning his season around, but there is no DH so he could find himself on the bench. Will they cost him the momentum he has been building over the last week or so? Then again, it could be dangerous to put Ortiz in the field as he is known for his bad knees. My guess is he will play 1 of the 3 games in Philly.
Lester had a perfect game for 6 1/3 innings before finishing with a two-hitter in a 8-1 victory over Texas on Saturday. It was his first complete game since throwing a no-hitter against Kansas City on May 19, 2008. Lester struck out 11 Rangers and has allowed just two runs and five hits with 23 strikeouts over 15 innings in winning his last two starts. More good news as Lester has had little trouble vs. the NL going 4-0 with a 3.05 ERA in seven career interleague starts.
Blanton has also been heating up going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last 3 starts after going 2-3 with a 7.11 ERA in his first 8 starts.
Game is at 7:05 on NESN.
***UPDATE***
Jacoby Ellsbury will be back on the field tonight. Lowell gets the night off, and Ortiz will play first base. Here is the look at the lineup...
Red Sox
1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
2. J.D. Drew, RF
3. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
4. Jason Bay, LF
5. David Ortiz, 1B
6. Jason Varitek, C
7. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
8. Nick Green, SS
9. Jon Lester, LHP
No comments:
Post a Comment