Red Sox 2008 Game 107 Preview

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J. Weaver		8-8, 4.08		D. Matsuzaka		11-1, 2.63
Angels		64-40		Red Sox		61-45

Monday, July 28      Fenway Park  ✠ 7:05 p.m. ET

American League

East	W	L	GB	L 10	1 R W	1 R L	X W	X L
Tampa	61	43	-	6-4	17	15	56	48
Boston	61	45	1.0	5-5	14	17	62	44
New York	58	46	3.0	8-2	20	11	57	47
Toronto	53	52	8.5	6-4	16	22	56	49
Baltimore	49	55	12.0	4-6	18	20	50	54

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

Angels: Weaver had his shortest start of the season when he pitched just three innings against the Indians on Tuesday, exiting with back stiffness. He allowed two runs on three hits, walking two and hitting another. The only positive from his start was that he struck out four of the 15 batters he faced. His outing broke a streak of four straight starts in which pitched at least five innings and allowed two earned runs or fewer. Weaver is 0-2 with a 5.46 ERA in five career starts against the Red Sox.

Red Sox: Matsuzaka turned in one of his best performances of the season in his last start, allowing five hits and two runs over 7 1/3 innings in a 4-2 win over the Mariners. After struggling in his first start back from the disabled list, Matsuzaka has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his past five starts. The righty is 6-1 with a 3.02 ERA in nine starts at Fenway Park this season. Matsuzaka is holding opponents to a .202 average. This is his first start of the season against the Angels.

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

Red Sox Batting History vs Weaver

Player	AB	Hits	2b	3b	HR's	RBI	BB's	K's	BA	OBA	Slug	OPS
D. Pedroia	8	3	2	0	0	0	1	2	.375	.444	.625	1.069
K. Youkilis	15	5	0	0	2	4	1	1	.333	.375	.733	1.108
D. Ortiz	13	6	0	0	2	8	2	2	.462	.500	.923	1.423
M. Ramirez	9	1	0	0	0	1	1	5	.111	.182	.111	.293
M. Lowell	7	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.286	.375	.286	.661
J. D. Drew	9	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.444	.444	.444	.889
J. Lowry	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
J. Varitek	8	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	.125	.125	.250	.375
J. Ellsbury	3	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	.333	.333	1.333	1.667
Totals	72	23	3	0	5	14	6	12	.319	.367	.569	.937

Not much to say here, those are great numbers against one of the good young pitchers in the league. The bench, except for Cora stinks against this guy and Cora has only faced him 4 times so not much history.

Pitching Comparisions Career

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Weaver	5	0	2	0	28	17	17	5	6	23	5.46	1.46	5.60
Matsuzaka	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---

Wow, I was sure that Daisuke had started a game in the regular season vs the Angels, but I guess not, however this Angels team should be made to order for him since they are not exactly known for their patience.

Pitching Comparisions this year

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Weaver	20	8	8	0	119	116	57	13	35	92	4.08	1.27	5.95
Matsuzaka	17	11	1	0	95 2/3	70	28	5	60	83	2.63	1.36	5.63

Edge Daisuke. All the way except for that WHIP (thanks to the BB's). Would be nice if we saw a blow out tonight.
♊ - Well, let's hope we get some funny hats too.

Red Sox 2008 Game 94 Recap

Final

Press Pass ✠ Box Score ✠ Play - by - Play ✠ Game Recap

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Minnesota	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0		5	14	1
Boston	0	0	4	0	2	1	7	4	X		18	23	2

W: J. Beckett (9-5)   L: L. Hernandez (9-6)
HR ➢   Bos: K. Cash (2), K. Youkilis (14)  Min: J. Morneau (13)

✫     - Manny - Third straight game that the "being" has came through.
✫✫    - Lowell - Followed Manny's double with a two run single.
✫✫✫   - Casey - Followed Lowells single with an rbi single himself.

⋔ Fork - Beckett - Just like Lester last night, the Ace of the staff stunk up the place by allowing 5 earned runs in 5 innings.

Game thoughts!

Just like his last game Beckett struggled right off the bat. Three runs scored in the first inning off the right-hander and the Sox were in the hole right away. The game just felt weird all day. After the first, just like in the Bronx, Beckett settled down and became the ace again. Well, until the sixth inning.

Thanks to Beckett competing, to use Mr. Terry Francona's favorite phrase, the Sox were able to scratch back into this game. Zeroes on the board in the second, third and fourth innings allowed the Sox to take the lead in the third.

With two outs Manny doubled in Lugo, Lowell then singled in Lugo and Manny and thanks to the Twins throwing error moved to third base. This allowed Casey to single in Lowell and the Sox were in the lead and would never look back.

The fifth inning saw Manny and Casey have two more RBI hits. At this point you just felt like the team would not be challenged the rest of the game.

The Twins made it a one run game in the sixth, but Youkilis got it right back in the bottom of the inning. So, the game was still close until the wacky, weird, and laugher of the seventh.

The bottom of the seventh started off simple enough. Lowell walked and moved to third on Sean Casey's ground rule double to right. Then the wacky happened.

Jason Varitek hit a sinking liner to center field. Denard Span slid for the ball, backhanding it as it one-hopped into his glove.

The base runners took off, but after the umpires belatedly signaled a catch, Span threw to second to double off Casey. Second baseman Alexi Casilla leisurely threw to third to get Mike Lowell, who had already crossed the plate.

Originally it was called a triple play, but then the Umpires conferred at Francona's request and correctly reveresed the call. Gardenhire went balistic was tossed and then the Sox just kept on adding on the runs.

Moss struck out, Lugo walked, Ellsbury singled, Pedroia hit a three run double, Youkilis doubled, Ramirez singled, Lowell hit a fielders choice and then Casey grounded out to first. Seven runs scored in the inning and the game was officially declared a rout as the inning ended with the Sox up 14-5.

Of course more wackiness happened in the top of the eighth. With Hansen pitching he walked the lead off hitter. Grind, grind, grinding my teeth on that one. Terry, sensing the game was wacky yanked Hansen after Span singled and brought in Delcarmen.

Casilla then hit into a double play, that should not have been a double play. Remember there are two on base and no outs which makes the infield fly rule a possibility. Casilla hits a soft pop up that goes up about twenty feet in the air and lands about a foot (Lugo allowed it to drop) on the outfield grass.

On the hop he throws to Pedroia at second forcing Span and Dustin, after looking at first base throw to third where Harris is tagged out by Lowell. Obviously the Umpires did not call the infield fly and the Twins went from runners on first and second with one out to a runner on first with two outs. Then Delcarmen did the same thing that Hansen did, he walked a Mauer. Look, you are up by nine runs in the eighth, do not walk people!

The bottom of the eighth saw the Sox add two more runs on a pinch hit homer run by Cash, a Moss triple, a Lugo ground out, a Pedroia single and then Youkilis hitting a home run. Cash's homer was a bomb as the ball ended up in the parking lot, an absolute bomb that was his first pinch hit home run. Thankfully the ninth ended with Timlin getting three outs only allowing a one out single by Young. The WATER WAS SO DIRTY.

Factoid - The 18 runs were the most for the Sox since Sox scored 25 against Florida in 2003.

Factoid - Season highs in winning margin, most runs in an inning, hits and runs.

♊ - Then don't strain your brain trying. Might break something.

Red Sox 2008 Game 93 Recap

Final

Press Pass ✠ Box Score ✠ Play - by - Play ✠ Game Recap

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Minnesota	0	0	0	3	0	0	1	1	0		5	11	0
Boston	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	x		6	11	1

W: D. Aardsma (3-2) L: M. Guerrier (4-4) S: J. Papelbon (27)
HR ➢ Bos: M. Ramirez (17)

✫     - M. Ramirez - His home run in the eighth tied the game.
✫✫   - J. D. Drew - two rbi's the second one getting them close in the eighth
✫✫✫ - Moss - A game winning rbi, his second of the night.
Just in case it escaped you, all six runs were knocked in by these three players, thus the star's.

⋔ Fork - Lester - 7 1/3 innings but five earned runs ouch.

Game thoughts!

Another one run game, and another win for the Sox. As bad as this team has been on the road in these close games, they have been spectacular at home in these situations. Overall they are now 13 - 16 in 1 run games. 2-14 on the road, 11-2 at home.

The Sox started off well as they scored in the first thanks to an Ellsbury single and a J.D. Drew double to left field. It especially felt good since the Twins had stranded two runners, thanks to two walks issued by Lester, in the top of the inning. Both pitchers settled down though as they both had 1-2-3 innings until the top of the 4th.

The Twins finally broke through as they got three straight hits off of Lester after two outs. The big blow was triple to right field by Harris which scored two runs and was followed by a single by Punto. All of a sudden the Sox went from being in control to being behind and Blackburn responded by having a 1-2-3 inning for the third time in a row.

Lester continued to struggle though as he allowed two more batters to reach in the sixth inning. Thankfully the Sox were able to retire the side without any runs scoring when Mauer hit into a double play to end the inning.

Blackburn was still dealing. To recap he had a 1-2-3 inning in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th innings and only allowed a Youkilis single in the 5th and a Pedroia single in the 6th before finally allowing the Sox to score again in the 7th after a Youkilis triple with one out followed by Moss's sacrifice fly.

The Sox were finally back within two runs only to have Lester and Aardsma give up the Twins fifth run of the night. I was ready to chew bricks and throw them at the television but the best part of the game was still to come.

After Ellsbury doubled down the left field line to start the eighth inning Pedroia then singled to center and Drew got his second rbi of the night on a ball that Morneau barely got some leather on which allowed the second baseman to throw out Drew. One inch to the left and I think that ball goes through to right field but that is why it is a game of inches.

Manny followed up Drew's at bat by crushing a ball to left center field and just like that the game was tied at five. Fenway park went nuts, the vibrations in the park even made the center field camera shake. At this point you had to feel like the game was going to be won by the Sox.

The only question was which inning would see the winning run pushed across for the Sox lead. One out later, Youkilis and Moss answered the question as Youkilis doubled to center and after a wild pitch moved him to third, Moss singled up the middle.

Papelbon was warming up in the pen and even after he allowed a lead off double I was sure that he would get the save. Sure enough, he did by getting a strike out and a ground out for the last two outs. The water was dirty!

Factoid - The Red Sox improved to 33-10 at Fenway this season.

♊ - Then don't strain your brain trying. Might break something.

Red Sox 2008 Game 92 Recap

Final

Press Pass ✠ Box Score ✠ Play - by - Play ✠ Game Recap

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Minnesota	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	6	0
Boston	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	x		1	7	0

W: H. Okajima (2-2) L: B. Bass (3-3) S: J. Papelbon (26)

✫ 1st star - D. Matsuzaka - 7 1/3 innings, 3 walks, 5 k's and oh yeah only 6 hits.
✫✫ 2nd star - H. Okajima - 2 men on with 1 out in the 8th and first batter walks. Meltdown in the making? Nope, a foul out and a fielders choice later and it was still 0-0.
✫✫✫ 3rd star - M. Ramirez - a clutch single with 1 out in the 8th scored the only run.
⋔ Pitchfork - none, nada, both teams played well

Game thoughts!

What can you say about tonights game? A pitchers duel, helped by some terrible batting by both teams at key times but was overall a very good game. I will take 1-0 wins every day and twice on Sunday, especially after seeing the Sox lose like six straight 1 run games on the road.

Matsuzaka was dealing tonight. 71 pitches for strikes and he was challenging the hitters with his fast ball all night. More importantly, he went deep in the game, which is what this team needs. With Beckett, Lester, Wakefield and Matsuzaka as the starters, the strength of this teams pitching is the starters. They need to get 7+ innings. If they do that, then the bullpen will be just fine.

Pedroia continued his hot hitting tonight by leading off the eighth with a wall ball double. The man is smoking right now and his double came at a very good time. Drew moved him to third on a ball he pulled but it took a diving stop by the second base to get the out on a very close play. For once the Sox actually got the runner home from third on Manny's single. As I said at the time at Joy of Sox "This game was over".

Now lets do the same thing tomorrow night!!!

♊ - Then don't strain your brain trying. Might break something.

No Previews or Recaps or Much of Anything for Awhile

Well, thanks to some activity by BH at St. Francis on 7/1, only caught the 8th and 9th innings of game 86. For awhile, though I probably will be able to watch or listen to most of the games I will not be posting. I love the Sox, but BH still has my heart and always will. So, until she is fully mobile and functioning again this will probably be the last post until next Monday. Cheerio and go SOX!!!

Red Sox 2008 Game 86 Preview

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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.

Red Sox 2008 Game 85 Recap

Final

Press Pass ✠ Box Score ✠ Play - by - Play ✠ Game Recap

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	2		4	8	1
Tampa	1	0	0	2	1	0	1	0	x		5	6	0

W: J. Shields (6-5) L: J. Masterson (4-2) S: J. Howell (2)
HR ➢ Bos: J.D. Drew (16) TB: B.J. Upton (6), G. Gross (6)

✫ 1st star - Gabriel Jordan Gross - His two run home run in the fourth put the Rays ahead to stay
✫✫ 2nd star - J Shields - 6 1/3 innings of two run ball
✫✫✫ 3rd star - Upton - First pitch lead off home run set the tone
⋔ Pitchfork - Masterson - six innings, five walks, five hits, four earned runs allowed. Not good

Game thoughts!

Upton set the tone by hitting the first pitch to deep center field and the rest was pretty much down hill. Actually, Masterson wasn't horrible after the first pitch until the fourth and fifth innings. Once the Sox had tied the game in the top of the fourth he retired the first two batters and then walked Navarro, and then allowed the Gross home run to right field (a bomb). The man is having problems with left handers.

After that, it seemed like the Sox would get close only to allow another run. As Terry says, the Rays just kept on tacking on to the lead. If the Sox wanted to send a message to the Rays, this was not the way to do it.

♊ - Then don't strain your brain trying. Might break something.

Red Sox 2008 Game 85 Preview

			@
J. Masterson		4-1, 3.43		J. Shields		5-5, 3.76
Red Sox		50-34		Rays		49-32

Monday, June 30      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	49	32	-	7-3	14	10	46	35
Boston	50	34	.5	5-5	11	12	49	35
New York	44	38	5.5	5-5	14	9	43	39
Baltimore	41	39	7.5	5-5	17	12	40	40
Toronto	40	43	10.0	5-5	12	20	45	38

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

Red Sox: Masterson earned his second career win against Tampa Bay on June 3, a 7-4 decision at Fenway Park. It wasn't his most dominant performance, allowing four runs on six hits during six innings of work. But it did set the tone for the three-game set as the Red Sox swept the Rays to regain first place in the AL East. Masterson's last start was very similar to that game against the Rays; he allowed four runs on seven hits against Arizona on Tuesday.

Rays: Shields is coming off a resounding victory over the Marlins on Wednesday night in which the right-hander broke a seven-game dry spell to notch the win. He tossed seven innings of four-hit ball, allowing only a solo home run to Mike Jacobs in the sixth inning. Shields will face a new rival in the Red Sox, as the right-hander was one of five Rays suspended in June 5's on-field melee at Fenway Park. Monday's game will be the 27-year-old's fourth appearance against the Red Sox this year. Shields has beaten Boston once this season, in April 27's game at Tropicana Field, but sports an impressive 1.99 ERA in home starts.

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

Red Sox Batting History vs Shields

Player	AB	Hits	2b	3b	HR's	RBI	BB's	K's	BA	OBA	Slug	OPS
J. Ellsbury	7	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	.143	.250	.143	.393
D. Pedroia	7	4	1	0	0	1	0	0	.571	.625	.714	1.339
J. D. Drew	12	4	2	0	0	1	0	1	.333	.333	.500	.833
M. Ramirez	11	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	.364	.417	.364	.780
M. Lowell	10	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.300	.300	.300	.600
K. Youkilis	14	0	0	0	0	0	2	5	.000	.176	.000	.176
J. Varitek	8	1	0	0	0	1	0	4	.125	.125	.125	.250
B. Moss	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
J. Lugo	10	4	2	0	0	2	1	3	.400	.455	.600	1.055
Totals	79	21	5	0	0	5	4	19	.266	.337	.329	.666

Right now Jason Varitek, aka "the Captain" is stinking up the place at the plate. Tonight would be a good night for Tek to sit. Give him a couple of days off in a row, and maybe, just maybe, he will be ready for New York.

I would also sit Youkilis, though he has been swinging the bat well lately, Shields owns him. Give him a night off also and let Casey swing the bat tonight. Of course, Terry will ignore my advice so, confidence level of them winning tonight 20%.

Pitching Comparisions Career

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Masterson	1	1	0	0	6	6	4	2	2	5	6.00	1.33	6.00
Shields	7	1	4	1	35	35	22	5	10	36	5.66	1.29	5.00

Masterson has been, well, masterful in most of his games this year. His one appearance versus the Rays being one of his worst starts. Look for him to come out firing tonight though and I expect that slider of his to be working down and away to the left handed hitters.

Shields has beaten the Sox once this year. That is his only win ever against the Sox. With that ERA I can see why. Look for a patient Sox team to take him deep tonight and I fully expect him to be knocked out by the sixth inning. The question is can the bull pen for the Sox hold off the Rays.

Pitching Comparisions this year

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Masterson	7	4	1	0	42	29	16	6	21	32	3.43	1.19	6.00
Shields	16	5	5	2	103	100	43	11	19	83	3.76	1.16	6.44

Pretty evenly matched between these two pitchers. Still I think I'm going to give a slight edge here to Masterson.

Inside Edge

Type (%'s)	All	1st P	Early	2 S	Ahead	Behind	RHB	LHB	Op. BA (avg)
Fastball	52	68	57	31	32	68	51	53	.313
Curves	10	9	11	9	15	2	13	6	.204
Sliders	10	10	12	6	10	7	14	5	.262
Change Ups	28	12	19	54	43	22	23	34	.179
Totals	4,278	1,194	2,691	1,111	1,482	962	2,226	2,052	.249

Shields has been tough to beat, but if you can get into the Fastball counts you can beat him. The Sox will need to be patient against this guy.

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

Red Sox 2008 Game 84 Recap

Final

Press Pass ✠ Box Score ✠ Play - by - Play ✠ Game Recap

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0		2	9	0
Houston	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	x		3	10	0

W: D. Brocail (4-3) L: D. Aardsma (2-2) S: J. Valverde (21)
HR ➢ Bos: D. Pedroia (8), M. Ramirez (16) Hou: G. Blum (5)

✫ 1st star - Beckett - Seven innings only two runs
✫✫ 2nd star - Manny - his home run in the seventh tied the game
✫✫✫ 3rd star - Loretta - Game winning hit in the eighth (eases the pain somewhat)
⋔ Pitchfork - 3-2 game - there is no fork tonight.

Game thoughts!

A tight game from the first pitch. Of course with thirteen men left on base, it should not have been that tight. It did not help the cause to leave the bases loaded twice and strand 10 runners in the first six innings.

Hard to fault anybody but the offense in this game. It is time to admit that this team stinks on the road. Not for sure why, but it just stinks. Oh well, another day and another game today.

Factoid - Boston is now 2-10 in one-run games on the road this year.

♊ - Then don't strain your brain trying. Might break something.

Red Sox 2008 Game 84 Preview

			@
J. Beckett		7-5, 3.73		B. Moehler		4-3, 4.03
Red Sox		50-33		Astros		38-43

Sunday, June 29      Minute Maid Park  ✠ 2:05 p.m. ET

American League

East	W	L	GB	L 10	1 R W	1 R L	X W	X L
Boston	50	33	-	6-4	11	11	49	34
Tampa Bay	48	32	.5	7-3	13	10	46	34
New York	44	37	5.0	6-4	14	9	43	38
Baltimore	41	38	7.0	6-4	17	11	39	40
Toronto	39	43	10.5	4-6	11	20	44	38

ESPN.Com Preview .
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From MLB.Com Scouting Report

Red Sox: Beckett has allowed just two runs in his last two starts, against Arizona and Cincinnati, logging 15 innings in the process. Unfortunately for Beckett, his last outing, against the D-backs, went to waste when the Red Sox ran into Dan Haren, dropping a 2-1 decision at Fenway Park. Beckett is 2-2 lifetime against Houston and owns a 2.92 career ERA at Minute Maid Park.

Astros: Moehler has been the most reliable arm since joining the rotation. Counting his impressive performance against Texas on Tuesday night -- 6 1/3 innings, one run allowed on five hits -- the Astros are 5-4 in Moehler's nine starts but could easily be 7-2. Moehler is 4-3 with a 4.03 ERA. The 36-year-old right-hander is 4-2 with a 4.01 ERA in eight career starts against Boston.

No splits, inane stats, or other stuff. ITS A FREAKING INTER-LEAGUE GAME AND THE THIRD
GAME IN MINUTE MAID PARK. SO I STILL DON'T FREAKING CARE!!!!!!!!!!!

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

Red Sox 2008 Game 83 Recap

Final

Press Pass ✠ Box Score ✠ Play - by - Play ✠ Game Recap

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	0	0	4	0	0	5	0	0	1		10	13	0
Houston	0	0	5	0	1	0	2	3	x		11	14	0

W: D. Brocail (3-3) L: M. Delcarmen (0-2) S: J. Valverde (20)
HR ➢ Bos: M. Lowell (12) Hou: M. Loretta (3), C. Lee (18), T. Wigginton (5)

✫ 1st star - C. Berkman - Key two run double in the eighth
✫✫ 2nd star - T. Wigginton - A home run in the eighth to tie the game
✫✫✫ 3rd star - M. Lorreta - A three run home run in the third to take a lead in the third
⋔ Pitchfork - The Bullpen - six runs allowed

Game thoughts!

A four run lead, not safe, a three run lead, not safe. This game was there to be had but Lester and the bullpen competely sucked. Today is another day, tomorrow was yesterday.

♊ - Then don't strain your brain trying. Might break something.

Red Sox 2008 Game 83 Preview

			@
J. Lester		6-3, 3.13		B. Backe		5-8, 4.82
Red Sox		50-32		Astros		37-43

Saturday, June 28      Minute Maid 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	50	32	-	6-4	11	10	48	34
Tampa Bay	48	31	.5	8-2	13	9	45	34
New York	43	37	6.0	6-4	13	9	42	38
Baltimore	40	38	8.0	6-4	17	11	38	40
Toronto	38	43	11.5	3-7	11	20	43	38

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From MLB.Com Scouting Report

Red Sox: Lester is becoming one stingy innings-eater for the Boston Red Sox. In the month of June, he hasn't given up more than two runs in any outing while at least pitching into the seventh inning in all four starts. He's 5-1 since the beginning of May, and the Sox have won each of the five outings he's pitched in since May 31.

Astros: Backe earned his first win in a month when he beat the Rays in his last outing. The right-hander yielded a two-run homer to Evan Longoria in the second inning but held the Rays scoreless through the remainder of his 6 2/3 innings. Backe has appeared in four games against the Red Sox, all in relief. He has allowed eight runs over 5 1/3 innings for a 13.50 ERA.

No splits, inane stats, or other stuff. ITS A FREAKING INTER-LEAGUE GAME AND THE SCOND GAME IN MINUTE MAID PARK. SO I STILL DON'T FREAKING CARE

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

Red Sox 2008 Game 82 Recap

Final

Press Pass ✠ Box Score ✠ Play - by - Play ✠ Game Recap

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Boston	0	0	3	0	0	0	1	0	2		6	12	0
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0		1	4	0

W: D. Matsuzaka (9-1) L: R. Hernandez (0-1) S: J. Papelbon (24)
HR ➢ Bos: J.D. Drew (15) Hou: R. Abercrombie (1)

✫ 1st star - J. D. DREW - Another home run, this time a 3 run blast for the first runs of the game.
✫✫ 2nd star - D. Matsuzak - Way to come back from the last start (though you allowed way to many walks) 5 Innings pitched of 2 hit ball
✫✫✫ 3rd star - K. Youkilis - 4 for 5 night
⋔ Pitchfork - Nothing - I could put Okajami but a solo home run with two outs, not going to worry about.

Game thoughts!

Not much happened in this game (what, striking out 3 Astros is nothing? - ed, Ok something then) until the third inning. After Daisuke struck out Crisp walked and then Pedroia doubled to left field. Well, I should say he singled and then evaded the tag on a beautiful move at second, but the scorer said double so double it is in the books. This was followed by a home run by J. D. on a 2-0 count and really that was the only runs that the Sox would need.

Daisuke looked good except for the three walks that he issued. The five innings could have been better, but according to Remy and Orsillo and others he was pulled more for cautionary reasons then because he was tired or hurt. I can't blame Francona for that since his last start he only lasted the one inning and this was basically the first real start after coming off of the disabled list. Besides, 87 pitches in five innings means he probably would have and could have given them six strong innings if it was needed to spare the pen.

It was a good move by the Sox brass, especially since Hansen and Delcarmen had 1-2-3 innings. The only other hits for the Astros came off of Okajima, but I am not really worried about him, because I think he is just having a rough go of it, but will soon make the adjustments that are needed.

Still, since the bull pen had to go four innings in this game it would be nice to see Lester go out and pitch a seven or eight inning affair tonight. That would not be an unreasonable request the way he has been pitching lately.

Factoid - Crisp starts his five game suspension tonight, which means he will miss the rest of this series and all of the Rays series. MLB front office played it safe but I was glad to see the suspension reduced from seven games.

♊ - Then don't strain your brain trying. Might break something.

Red Sox 2008 Game 82 Preview

			@
D. Matsuzaka		8-1, 3.46		R. Hernandez		0-0, ---
Red Sox		49-32		Astros		37-42

Friday, June 27      Minute Maid Park  ✠ 8:05 p.m. ET

American League

East	W	L	GB	L 10	1 R W	1 R L	X W	X L
Boston	49	32	-	6-4	11	10	47	34
Tampa Bay	47	31	0.5	7-3	13	9	44	34
New York	42	37	6.0	6-4	13	9	41	38
Baltimore	40	37	7.0	6-4	17	11	38	39
Toronto	38	42	10.5	3-7	11	20	43	37

ESPN.Com Preview .
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From MLB.Com Scouting Report

Red Sox: Matsuzaka came off the 15-day disabled list for his last start against the Cardinals, and he looked nothing like the 8-0 starter that mowed down opposing lineups before suffering a right rotator cuff strain on May 27. Coming into his start against St. Louis, opponents were hitting .195 off the right-hander. But the Cardinals touched him up for four runs and five hits in the first inning alone. He faced 12 batters, leaving without recording an out in the second and giving up seven earned runs.

Astros: Hernandez takes over Shawn Chacon's spot in the rotation and will face the Red Sox Friday at Minute Maid Park. The 30-year-old right-hander is 6-3 with a 3.72 ERA over 15 starts for the Triple-A Round Rock Express this year. He's allowed 35 earned runs over 84 2/3 innings and has allowed 11 home runs. He's issued 23 walks while striking out 63. Opponents are hitting .233 against him. Hernandez has made two career starts against the Red Sox, taking no-decisions in both. He has a 4.85 ERA over those two games, having allowed seven earned runs over 13 innings. His last outing versus Boston occurred on Aug. 10, 2006.

No splits, inane stats or etc. ITS A FREAKING INTER-LEAGUE GAME AND THE FIRST TIME IN MINUTE MAID PARK. SO I DON'T FREAKING CARE.

Go Sox!!!

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

Red Sox 2008 Game 81 Recap

Final

Press Pass ✠ Box Score ✠ Play - by - Play ✠ Game Recap

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Arizona	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	3	0
Boston	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	3	-		5	12	0

W: T. Wakefield (5-5) L: R. Johnson (4-6) S: J. Papelbon (23)
HR ➢ Bos: K. Cash (1)

✫ 1st star - Wakefield - 7 Innings of 2 hit ball
✫✫ 2nd star - Cash - His three run home run off of cruz in the 8th sealed the deal
✫✫✫ 3rd star - Moss - His 0 for 3 accounted for the early lead as he scored Lowell twice.
⋔ Pitchfork - Consistency - Would love to see a game where one of the relievers has back to back good outings.

Game thoughts!

Wakefields knuckle ball was knuckling and Johnson was being good enough to make you bite your nails. In the first six innings the Sox were only able to score two runs off of Johnson even though they had 8 hits and 2 walks off of him. Both of those runs were driven in by Moss, 1 on a ground out, the second on a sacrifice fly.

With Wakefield mixing in his curve ball and fast ball effectively he was just a little bit better than Johnson. Ok, he was a lot better than Johnson, but after six innings the Sox were only up by those two runs.

Of course Wakefield is used to that but it was nice to see the eight inning start off with a walk by Lowell and then for the second straight time and third over all, Crisp hit a double putting runners on second and third. This time instead of scoring the run with an out, Cash sent one way over the monster seat. A huge sigh of relief was heard in my house and I naturally just assumed that this game was toast.

In fact I was thinking, Hansen comes in and gets 1-2-3 inning and everybody is happy. Just not meant to be though.

Hansen immediately made the game exciting again as he walked the first batter, got two outs and then allowed an infield single and another walk to load the bases. Instead of Papelbon getting two days of rest, Francona had to bring him in with the bases loaded. This being the bot though, he struck out Tracy on five pitches. The water was dirty.

Factoid - For June the Sox are batting .276 / .356 / .474 overall and a horrendous .267 / .357 / .453 at home. That is how you have a 3 and 3 home stand.

♊ - Then don't strain your brain trying. Might break something.

Red Sox 2008 Game 81 Preview

			@
R. Johnson		4-5, 5.09		T. Wakefield		4-5, 4.17
Diamondbacks		40-38		Red Sox		48-32

Wednesday, June 25      Fenway 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	48	32	-	6-4	11	10	46	34
Tampa Bay	45	31	1.0	7-3	13	9	41	35
New York	41	36	5.5	7-3	13	9	40	37
Baltimore	39	36	6.5	7-3	17	11	36	39
Toronto	37	41	10.0	3-7	11	19	42	36

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From MLB.Com Scouting Report

Diamondbacks: Johnson has dropped his last four starts and over that span has a 7.77 ERA. In his last outing against the Twins, he allowed seven runs on 11 hits while tossing his first complete game since Aug. 24, 2006. Six of the seven runs came during the third inning and only two of the six hits that inning were hit hard. Johnson has allowed 10 or more hits in back-to-back starts for the first time in his career and his outing against the Twins was the first time he had struck out one or fewer batters since Aug. 4, 2006.

Red Sox: Wakefield has given up three earned runs or less in each of his last five starts since allowing eight runs in five innings against Oakland on May 23. He's gone at least seven innings in all of those outings, but is just 1-2 in that span. His last outing resulted in a 5-4 Red Sox loss to the Cardinals. Still, his ERA has continually dropped in each start from its highest point of the season on May 23 -? it rose to 5.19 after that rough outing against the A's.

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

Red Sox Batting History vs Johnson

Player	AB	Hits	2b	3b	HR's	RBI	BB's	K's	BA	OBA	Slug	OPS
J. Ellsbury	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
D. Pedroia	2	1	1	0	0	0	3	1	.500	.800	1.000	1.800
J. D. Drew	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.125	.222	.125	.347
M. Ramirez	42	11	3	0	5	17	7	12	.262	.367	.690	1.058
M. Lowell	44	8	2	0	1	4	3	13	.182	.234	.295	.529
K. Youkilis	16	5	1	0	1	3	3	1	.313	.421	.563	.984
K. Cash	2	1	0	0	1	1	0	1	.500	.500	2.000	2.500
C. Crisp	10	3	2	0	0	2	0	6	.300	.300	.500	.800
J. Lugo	33	4	0	0	1	3	2	13	.121	.167	.212	.379
Totals	157	34	9	0	9	30	18	49	.217	.301	.446	.747

One out every three batters strikes out, a .217 batting average against Johnson. Is there any hope for an offensive break out? Not if you see the norms, but you know what, they have been sucking versus the pitchers who they should be hammering so maybe turn about. Nope, I ain't buying that, confidence level in a win tonight - 10 %.

Pitching Comparisions Career

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Johnson	29	16	7	1	181 1/3	149	90	24	92	222	4.47	1.33	6.25
Wakefield	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	1	2	0.00	.50	0.00

Wakefield has never made a start versus the Diamondbacks but he has matched up against Randy Johnson in the past. That was back in 2005 when the Sox were trying to catch the Yankees. He lost a 1-0 game in Yankee Stadium.

That was a huge loss for the Sox as the Yankees were trailing the Sox by 4.0 games prior to that game. Just to remind you, the Sox ended up losing the division by 1 game that year after Johnson also beat the Sox on 10/31/2005. In fact you could say that Johnson was the reason why the Yankees won the division that year since he went 5-0 versus the Sox.

The question is how does Johnson keep on beating the Sox? In 2005 and 2006 while Johnson was with the Yankees he pitched five games at Fenway. His record in those games is 4-0 and he accomplished this with a 6.06 ERA. In fact in the five games he only had one quality start. All other starts he gave up 4 runs (1 start) or 5 runs (all the rest). Yet he did not lose a single game.

Pitching Comparisions this year

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Johnson	13	4	5	0	76	86	43	9	22	71	5.09	1.42	5.85
Wakefield	15	4	5	0	95	84	44	14	41	63	4.17	1.32	6.33

I think Randy can say that he's been the victim of some bad luck since he has allowed, or since eight un-earned runs have been scored while he ws pitching. However, he has nothing on Wakefield who is 1-2 in his last five games while averaging 7.20 innings and only giving up 10 earned runs. That is a sparkling 2.50 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP. What has hurt him though is the five Home Runs that he has allowed. The question is how long can Wakefield keep up this hot streak though? Let's hope he gets the win.

Inside Edge

Type	All	1st P	Early	2	Ahead	Behind	RHB	LHB	Op. BA
Fastball %	53	59	52	55	55	51	53	57	.276
Curves %	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	---
Sliders %	38	34	38	40	37	37	38	40	.220
Change Ups %	7	6	9	4	6	10	7	3	.344
Totals (pitches)	1803	476	1078	538	711	360	1563	240	.252

Only Randy's sliders have consistently been good versus his opponents. The history versus the Sox though is so good, you have to feel that he will really be good. Another close game, yep, I think so.

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

Red Sox 2008 Game 80 Recap

Final

Press Pass ✠ Box Score ✠ Play - by - Play ✠ Game Recap

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Arizona	0	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	0		4	7	0
Boston	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	x		5	11	1

W: C. Smith (1-0) L: C. Qualls (1-6) S: J. Papelbon (22)
HR ➢ Ari: C. Tracy (4) Bos: D. Pedroia (7)

✫ 1st star - C. Smith - Two innings of no hit ball and gets his first career win.
✫✫ 2nd star - J. Varitek - His two out single scored Lowell for the winning run.
✫✫✫ 3rd star - D. Pedroia and M. Lowell - Two RBI's for each of them.

⋔ Pitchfork - C. Qualls - Thanks for pouring the gas on the fire baby.

Game thoughts!

After Masterson set down the Diamondbacks in order in the first it looked like the Sox would start this game off strong with Pedroia homering over the wall and two other singles in the inning. However, Varitek ended the inning stranding both runners so the Sox were only able to get the one run.

Masterson struggled right away in the second as he gave up a single to Jackson who stole second and Tracy immediately drove him home. After a fly out by Young a walk was issued to Ojeda but Salazar and Snyder got retired without any further damage. Game was now tied, so the offense needed to do some damage, but they could not get the job done as Moss struck out, Crisp singled and then Lugo and Ellsbury grounded out to the middle infielders.

The top of the third started off good for Masterson when he retired the first two batters on a ground out and a strike out. Orlando Hudson though decided to make it interesting by singling to left followed by Masterson walking Jackson on four straight pitches. On the second pitch to Tracy the young pitcher left a pitch up in the zone and Tracy deposited it in the Sox bull pen. The game shifted from tight to uh oh territory right there.

Davis continued to be good. From the third inning to the seventh he only faced 16 batters while allowing only a walk to Lowell in the third and a single by Ramirez in the sixth. Lowell was erased on a Varitek double play ball, so not one Sox even reached second during those five innings.

I was really thinking that the Sox were out of this game the way that Davis was just making the batters look bad when the Sox got the rally rolling in the eighth. It is hard to blame Davis for the meltdown since he had thrown 92 pitches and isn't really back from his thyroid cancer at 100%. So you have to question sending him out for the eighth.

The late inning comeback Sox decided to show up in the eighth in a big way. Lugo singled, Ellsbury singled and it was good night to Davis who was replaced by Qualls. Pedroia singled on the seventh pitch (after four foul balls) and the Sox trailed 4-2. Drew though continued his struggles as he struck out on seven pitches and it looked like Qualls might quell the rally when Ramirez grounded out to third on the second pitch.

The ground out was lucky for the Sox though as the ball short hopped the third baseman which made first base his only play. With two runners in scoring position on a 2-0 pitch Mike Lowell smoked a two run double off the wall and the Sox had tied up the game at four all. This brought up Varitek who was batting .083 (at the start of the game) on the homestand. On a 0-1 pitch he hit a looping single to right field that scored Lowell and the Sox were finally back in the lead and Qualls was gone from the game.

As soon as the Sox tied up the game, Papelbon was up and throwing and sure enough he was brought in to face the number nine, one and two batters. Snyder struck out on four pitches, Byrnes drew a walk after fouling off four strikes and then Drew struck out swinging. This left Hudson to keep the inning going but he quickly grounded out to Lowell and the game was finally in the books.

Factoid - In the first five games of this home stand the Sox are batting .251 with a .321 OBA. Hence a 2-3 record.

♊ - Then don't strain your brain trying. Might break something.

Red Sox 2008 Game 80 Preview

			@
D. Davis		2-3, 3.65		J. Masterson		4-1, 3.00
Diamondbacks		40-37		Red Sox		47-32

Tuesday, June 24      Fenway 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	47	32	-	5-5	10	10	46	33
Tampa Bay	44	31	1.0	6-4	13	9	41	34
New York	41	35	4.5	8-2	13	9	40	36
Baltimore	38	36	6.5	6-4	17	11	36	38
Toronto	36	41	10.0	2-8	11	19	40	37

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From MLB.Com Scouting Report

Diamondbacks: Davis had a strong performance for the second consecutive outing, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings. He also had a season-high eight strikeouts. The one run he did allow was a bloop single to Oakland left-fielder Jack Cust. Davis is 3-2 against the Red Sox over his career, with a 3.78 ERA in 33 1/3 innings.

Red Sox: Masterson continues to make the most of his callup from the Minor Leagues, first filling in for the injured Daisuke Matsuzaka and now for Bartolo Colon. Though Masterson labored a bit in his last start, he still earned the win against a heavy-hitting Phillies team. In that one, Masterson gave up four hits and two runs over five innings, throwing 92 pitches. Opponents are hitting .176 against Masterson. The righty has allowed 22 hits over 36 innings.

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

Red Sox Batting History vs Davis

Player	AB	Hits	2b	3b	HR's	RBI	BB's	K's	BA	OBA	Slug	OPS
J. Ellsbury	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
D. Pedroia	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.333	.000	.333
J. D. Drew	7	2	0	0	1	3	0	2	.286	.286	.714	1.000
M. Ramirez	11	3	0	0	0	1	1	1	.273	.333	.273	.606
M. Lowell	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	.000	.500	.000	.500
K. Youkilis	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
J. Varitek	8	3	0	0	0	1	1	1	.375	.444	.375	.819
C. Crisp	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
J. Lugo	12	3	0	0	1	1	1	1	.250	.308	.500	.808
Totals	45	11	0	0	2	6	7	6	.244	.346	.378	.724

A mixed bag versus Davis as far as the hitters go. None of them really dominate him but they have had some success against him. The way the offense is going right now though you have to think that Davis will shut them down.

Pitching Comparisions Career

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Davis	5	3	2	0	33 1/3	41	14	3	11	15	3.78	1.56	6.4
Masterson	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---

Davis has been up and down versus the Sox. When he has been good he has been lights out, as in all three of his Wins he has gone at least six innings and only given up four earned runs. When he has been bad though he has been bad as in both of his losses he has given up five earned runs. Let us hope we get the bad tonight.

Pitching Comparisions this year

Pitcher	GS	W	L	Sho	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	IP/GS
Davis	8	2	3	0	44 1/3	46	18	2	25	38	3.65	1.60	5.54
Masterson	6	4	1	0	36	22	12	5	17	28	3.00	1.08	6.00

Masterson by far has the better numbers this year. The kid has good stuff. Davis has too many walks which really raises his WHIP. Look for a patient Sox team to wait him out.

Inside Edge

Type	All	1st P	Early	2 S	Ahead	Behind	RHB	LHB	Op. BA
Fastball	66 %	71 %	64 %	62 %	56 %	76 %	67 %	63 %	.305
Curves	17 %	14 %	16 %	25 %	28 %	5 %	16 %	23 %	.167
Sliders	7 %	7 %	7 %	7 %	6 %	8 %	7 %	7 %	.269
Change Ups	10 %	9 %	13 %	6 %	9 %	11 %	11 %	7 %	.296
Totals	4,041	1,041	2,343	1,064	1,286	1,113	3,145	896	.278

Is this an important game? Yes I think it is, for the first time this year the Sox are about to lose two series in a row at Fenway Park. After last nights loss this is the only game that they can win versus the Diamondbacks.

"Wait there is another game tomorrow night", you say. Well, take a look at Johnsons career stats versus the Sox. He fragging owns them. So tonight is the night to prevent the sweep. My confidence level for that is at 10%.

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