Red Sox 2008 Game 74 Preview

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J. Lester		5-3, 3.43		J. Moyer		7-3, 4.12
Red Sox		44-29		Phillies		42-30

Tuesday, June 17      Citizens Bank Park  ✠ 7:05 p.m. ET

American League

East	W	L	GB	L 10	1 R W	1 R L	X W	X L
Boston	44	29	-	6-4	10	8	43	30
Tampa Bay	40	29	2.0	5-5	10	7	37	32
New York	37	33	5.5	7-3	12	9	36	34
Baltimore	34	34	7.5	6-4	15	10	32	36
Toronto	35	36	8.0	3-7	11	16	38	33

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From MLB.Com Scouting Report

Red Sox: The lefty has thrived of late, earning victories in his last two starts. In his last outing, he allowed seven hits and two runs over seven innings in a win over the Orioles. Two starts ago, he defeated the Rays, giving up eight hits and a run over 6 1/3 innings. Lester has given up three earned runs or less in six of his last eight starts. Lester is holding opponents to a .249 average.

Phillies: Moyer is coming off his longest and best outing of 2008, one in which he beat the Marlins in Miami with eight shutout innings and allowed only two hits while walking one and striking out three. The 45-year-old lefty is now 5-0 in his last six starts. The Red Sox will be somewhat of a familiar foe for Moyer, who spent most of his career in the American League and is 6-11 in 20 lifetime starts against Boston. One matchup to watch out for is Moyer vs. slugger Manny Ramirez, who has tagged the lefty for 10 home runs, more than any other hitter.

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

Red Sox Batting History vs Moyer

Player	AB	Hits	2b	3b	HR's	RBI	BB's	K's	BA	OBA	Slug	OPS
J. Ellsbury	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
D. Pedroia	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
J. D. Drew	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250	.250	.250	.500
M. Ramirez	50	17	3	0	10	20	6	12	.340	.421	1.000	1.421
M. Lowell	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	.667	.667	1.000	1.667
K. Youkilis	6	2	1	0	1	2	3	2	.333	.556	1.000	1.556
J. Varitek	32	8	2	0	1	2	4	7	.250	.333	.406	.740
C. Crisp	18	5	1	0	0	1	1	2	.278	.316	.333	.649
J. Lugo	14	7	2	1	0	2	0	3	.500	.500	.786	1.286
Totals	127	42	10	1	12	27	14	26	.331	.401	.709	1.110

There are a lot of 1.000+ OPS against Jamie Moyer. Can the Sox take advantage of him? Do not be surprised to see Ellsbury sit tonight, especially since he has never faced Moyer and this year he is 1 for 6 versus finesse pitchers. Not a good split to have, so I would expect Coco to start in center field while Ellsbury sits.

Pitching Comparisions Career

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Lester	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
Moyer	20	6	11	0	117	144	87	25	41	70	6.69	1.58	5.50

Lester has never faced the Phillies, so it will be interesting to see how he pitches to them. Personally I think you have to challenge them high and tight and low and away. Will have to see if he can be effecient tonight versus this very good hitting team.

Pitching Comparisions this year

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Lester	15	5	3		89 1/3	84	34	7	37	57	3.43	1.35	5.96
Moyer	14	7	3	0	83	95	38	11	19	43	4.12	1.37	5.93

Pretty even across the board here, but I am surprised to see that Moyer has a better K/BB ratio, oh wait, thats right we are talking about Lester, not surprised to see that after all. Still, I think these are two evenly matched slingers and this should be interesting to watch.

ONE LAST THING GO CELTICS!!!!!!!!

♊ - Well, let's hope we get some funny hats too.