Justin Masterson was among the players the Boston Red Sox traded to Cleveland last year in exchange for Victor Martinez, and the right-hander will get a chance to face his former team for the first time tonight.
Thank god the Sox did that deal. Masterson is a bullpen guy, and I think he could've been a very good one, but he isn't a starter, and the Indians are forcing him. Masterson is 1-5 with a 5.46 ERA (2-12 since joining the Indians). While V-Mart has been on fire of late batting a major league-best .481 since May 19.
The news only gets better as Buchholz might be the best pitcher on the Sox staff this year (5-0 with a 0.99 ERA in his last 5 starts). He should easily be able to handle the Indians lineup, and go to 6-0 in his last 6 starts.
Still, there are thing to worry about. The Sox bullpen has bene up and down all season and Okajima might be nearing his end (5.21 ERA this season). The other concern is the recent struggles of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who is 0 for 8 in this series. The 2008 AL MVP is batting .175 (17 for 97) in his last 24 games, watching his average slip from .305 to .252. The Sox need all the hitting they can get, so Pedroia needs to find a way to step up.
Sox win 12-2
Players of the Game: Beltre/Buchholz
Game starts 7:05 pm on NESN.
Here is the Sox lineup for tonight...
Scutaro SS
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Youkilis 1B
Martinez C
Drew RF
Beltre 3B
Hermida LF
Reddick CF
Pitching: RHP Clay Buchholz (8-3, 2.39).
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