Game 108 - Devil Rays 15th of 19

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

Schilling vs James Shields tonight at the beginning of a Six game road trip, followed by an eleven game homestand with the last 5 being against the spankees (1 double header). The Sox need to go no worse than 4 and 2 on this trip and then real off a string of wins. The next 2 and half weeks can make or break this team for this year.

Shields has started one game against the Sox earlier this year. In 5 innings he gave up 5 runs, 3 hrs, 3 walks and 5 k's. Overall in his career he has a 5.43 ERA in 12 starts and a 4 and 5 record. Half of his games have been quality starts and he is 4 and 0 in those starts. Its simple with him, get him out before the 6th inning and you can win baby win.

I am not going to give you any stats for Schilling. I will tell you that he has lost both games at the Trop this year. A recap of the games can be found here and here. The first one was against Kazmir who is not facing us this series. The Devils are 5 and 2 against the sox at the trop. and 1 and 6 in boston. This is a little bit better than against all teams as they are 2 games over at home (27 and 25) and 18 and 39 on the road. Still this is a team that the Sox should stomp all over. Lets go for 3 in a row here boys.

Tonights game will mark the 2/3 point of the season, will be working on a review of the second third to go along with my first third of the season review, which you can find here. I expect to post that sometime on sunday.

ESPN.com preview is here.
Yahoo sports preview here.
Not sure if there will be a press pass before this game but if there is it will be found here.