Game 94 - Texas Game 9 of 9

As usual all statistics were found at the day by day database at Baseball Musings.

Schilling goes for his 9th straight win at Fenway today. He does it with the following lineup:

Rf - Coco Crisp
2b - Mark Lorretta
1b - Kevin Youkilis
Lf - Manny Ramirez
C - Jason Varitek
DH - Willy Moe Pena
Rf - Gabe Kapler
SS - Alex Gonzalez
3b - Cora

So for all of those WEEI callers who have been calling for Youkilis to bat somewhere else than lead off and for Coco to jump back to the top of the order, you have your wish. Of course if you were to look at my Ideal Line up you will notice that I have Coco leading off, and today shows another reason why this is the way it should stay that way. Two people have jumped around in the order this year Youk and Lowell. Though Lowell has not done well when batting above the 6th spot, Youkilis has been consistent no matter where he starts.

Schilling has made two starts against the Rangers as a Red Sox. In 2004 at Fenway he went 8 1/3 innings giving up 5 hits (2 hrs.) for 3 runs in a quality start that led to a win. This year he started in Texas on opening day going 7 innings with 5 hits (1 hr.) for an opening day win. His only other appearance against the Rangers in a Sox uniform was a relief appearance last year going 2 innings and getting the win for his 1 hit shutout pitching. Overall, 3 appearances for 17 + innings with 17 K's and a 2.60 ERA.

Rheinecker has faced Boston once this year, going 5 2/3 innings with 9 hits, 3 earned runs, 3 bb's and 1 K for a 4.76 era, this game was on 6/10 of this year at fenway park and he had a no decision.

Overall, you have to like the matchups and you know that Schilling is going to try to go 9 innings of shut out ball. Lets hope the bats finally wake up today though or it will be another nail biter.

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