Red Sox 2008 Game 86 Preview

			@
T. Wakefield		5-5, 3.88		M. Garza		6-4, 3.76
Red Sox		50-35		Rays		50-32

Tuesday, July 1      Tropicana Field  ✠ 7:10 p.m. ET

American League

East	W	L	GB	L 10	1 R W	1 R L	X W	X L
Tampa Bay	50	32	-	7-3	15	10	47	35
Boston	50	35	1.5	4-6	11	13	50	35
New York	44	39	6.5	4-6	14	10	44	39
Baltimore	41	40	8.5	4-6	17	13	40	41
Toronto	41	43	10.0	6-4	12	20	45	39

ESPN.Com Preview .
Yahoo's Preview .
ESPN.Com after the game Recap.
MLB.Com Press Pass.
From MLB.Com Scouting Report.

Red Sox: Wakefield was in top form in his last start against the D-backs, holding Arizona to just two hits in seven shutout innings. He fanned six batters and never allowed more than one runner on base at a time. He allowed three runs on six hits in his lone matchup with Tampa Bay this season, earning a no-decision in a 5-4 loss on April 25. He has allowed three runs or less in each of his last six outings.

Rays: The right-hander is coming off a masterful performance on Thursday afternoon in which Garza gave the Rays a preview of just how good he can be. The 24-year-old held the Marlins to just one-hit -- a solo home run by Hanley Ramirez -- en route to his first-ever complete game. Garza threw all four of his pitches for strikes and retired the first 10 straight Fish before walking Jeremy Hermida in the fourth inning. Tuesday will mark Garza's third outing against Boston this season, (he is 0-1) and he will look to continue the momentum found against Florida. The right-hander has arguably the best stuff on the Rays staff and if he can keep his emotions in check, he is a force on the mound.

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

Red Sox Batting History vs Garza

Player	AB	Hits	2b	3b	HR's	RBI	BB's	K's	BA	OBA	Slug	OPS
J. Ellsbury	7	2	0	0	0	1	1	0	.286	.375	.286	.661
D. Pedroia	8	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	.125	.222	.250	.472
J. D. Drew	3	2	1	0	1	1	2	0	.667	.800	2.000	2.800
M. Ramirez	8	5	1	0	0	1	1	0	.625	.667	.750	1.417
M. Lowell	9	2	0	0	1	2	0	2	.222	.222	.556	.778
K. Youkilis	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.125	.222	.125	.347
K. Cash	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	1.000	.500	1.000	1.500
B. Moss	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
J. Lugo	5	1	0	0	0	1	1	1	.200	.333	.200	.533
Totals	53	16	3	0	2	8	6	7	.302	.393	.472	.865

Not bad averages, but it is time to face the facts. The Rays have the Sox number at the Trop. I just have no faith in this team right now to come up with the big hit. It is time for Manny to start being Manny, but right now, I think this is the Manny. Win probability - 10%.

Pitching Comparisions Career

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Wakefield	29	19	3	0	202 1/3	166	71	19	67	139	3.16	1.15	6.29
Garza	4	2	1	0	21	20	11	2	11	13	4.71	1.48	5.25

Wakefield has made 39 appearances against the Rays. As a starter he is 17-3 with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. You have to like those numbers, but the Rays are playing like a team possessed while the Sox are playing lethargically. Normally, if they wher facing a pitcher who has a 1.48 WHIP I would give the edge to the Sox, but not right now. Calling this matchup even.

Pitching Comparisions this year

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Wakefield	16	5	5	0	102	86	44	14	42	69	3.88	1.25	6.38
Garza	14	6	4	0	83 2/3	72	35	9	29	55	3.76	1.21	5.98

Splits on the the stats this year, just reaffirming my even call. I have a bad feeling about tonight's game. Wakefield is usually very good in the Dome and he is on one of his hot streaks but I just don't know.

The Sox need to take a hard look in the mirror and decided if they are going to continue this win three lose three, suck on the road be great at home type of playing. This team should be doing better than what they are doing. It is time to step up!

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