Game 46 - Devil Rays game 8

As always all stats are from the Day by Day database at Baseball Musings.

Wells is making his first start since his rehab start last weekend. I am not sure what to expect from him on this start since he only threw 66 pitches in 5 innings in that start. What we do know is that historically Wells is 10 and 1 ( 19 starts) with a 2.91 ERA in his career against the Devil Rays. At Fenway David is 2 and 0 in 2 starts with a 1.29 ERA (14 innings pitched).

I fully expect Wells to be limited to 75 or 80 pitches, the key is how efficient he will be with those pitches. This is his first start for the Sox since April 12 (a loss) against Toronto.

Kazmir has been a major pain to the Sox these last 2 years ( first start against Boston 9/14/2004). He has started 5 games at Fenway with a 3 and 1 record and a 2.54 ERA over 28 1/3 innings. I just noticed that he has went w - l - w - nd - w in those games (loss is due baby). In his three wins he has given up 1 earned run over 17 2/3 innings. This year he is 2 and 0 against the Sox (both of his wins came in quality starts by Schilling and Wakefield 2 of the 3 losses that have occurred in 23 quality starts this year.

What I expect is a close game that may come down to the bullpens. Lets hope that we are the winners in that.

ESPN.com preview here.
MLB.com preview here.

Press Release here.

(had a much longer post originally but blogger lost it grrrr)