July 24 @ Oakland

[TheKilo]

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/277417.jpg vs. http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/217096.jpg

 

 

Josh Beckett (12-5, 4.78 ERA) vs. Barry Zito (10-6, 3.20 ERA)

 

Beckett to battle Athletics in Oakland

Boston (59-38) at Oakland (51-47), 10:05 p.m. ET

By Ian Browne / MLB.com

 

In a matchup that might be seen again in October, the Red Sox and Athletics, leaders of their respective divisions, square off on Monday night for the first of a three-game series at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland.

 

The pitching matchup is equally enticing with Boston's Josh Beckett taking on A's ace Barry Zito.

 

The Red Sox hope to have a better result than on July 14, when those two men matched up and the A's rolled to a 15-3 romp at Fenway.

 

"Most teams would probably agree, when you face a pitcher and you hit him well, it means most of the hitters are going to have confidence going into the game," said A's outfielder Bobby Kielty. "I think we'll have a mental edge in that fact, but anything can happen in baseball. Beckett's a great pitcher. He knows how to pitch. He throws really hard, and he's got great stuff."

 

Beckett also has a little more security than the last time he faced Oakland. Last week, following a 1-0 victory over the Royals, the Red Sox signed Beckett to a three-year extension.

 

"I'm happy here," said Beckett. "These are the greatest fans in the world. It was a deal where it gives me security, and that's always a big thing, but it was also because I wanted to stay here and play in front of these fans and at [Fenway]."

 

The Red Sox hope for better results in Oakland then they got in Seattle, where they lost two out of three to the Mariners. Sunday's loss was a heartbreaker, as Boston tied the game in the top of the ninth on a homer by Jason Varitek, only to lose it on a walkoff homer by Richie Sexson in the bottom of the inning.

 

The best news for Boston entering this series is that closer Jonathan Papelbon is well-rested after not pitching the last four days.

 

Pitching matchup

BOS: RHP Josh Beckett (12-5, 4.78)

After his best outing in a Red Sox uniform -- and with a new three-year contract extension in tow -- Josh Beckett heads to the mound against Oakland in the opener of a three-game series. Beckett will look for revenge against the only team to beat him at Fenway this season. Oakland roughed him up for eight hits and seven earned runs over 4 1/3 innings on July 14.

 

OAK: LHP Barry Zito (10-6, 3.20)

Zito was brilliant in his Wednesday start against the Orioles. Oakland's ace faced three batters over the minimum in the first six innings. Zito gave up the lone O's run on former A's catcher Ramon Hernandez's full-count RBI single in the seventh inning.

 

Player to watch

Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has a history of success against Zito, going 8-for-21 with three doubles and a homer against the Oakland ace.

[ORS]

Hey, there's a baseball game today. Might as well win it.

[riverside sluggers]

Barry Zito (11 games vs Boston, 4-4 record with a 4.52 ERA---Career at McAfee Coliseum in 102 games, 48-27 record with a 3.44 ERA)

Kevin Youkilis, 0 for 2, Walk

Mark Loretta, 0 for 5, Walk

David Ortiz, 8 for 21 (.381 avg) 3 Doubles, HR, 4 RBIs, Walk, K

Manny Ramirez, 4 for 22 (.182 avg) Double, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 10 Walks, 2 Ks

Jason Varitek, 6 for 23 (.261 avg) 2 Doubles, 5 RBIs, 2 Walks, 3 Ks, SB

Mike Lowell, 0 for 3, K

Wily Mo Pena, 0 for 2, K

Coco Crisp, 4 for 15 (.267 avg) Double, HR, 3 RBIs, 5 Ks

Alex Gonzalez, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) K

///

Gabe Kapler, 7 for 25 (.280 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI, Walk, 5 Ks... (Still Wily Mo please)

Doug Mirabelli, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, 3 Ks

Trot Nixon, 0 for 5, RBI, Walk, K

 

Josh Beckett (1 game vs Oakland, 0-1 record with a 14.54 ERA---1st career appearance at McAfee Coliseum)

Jason Kendall, 1 for 7 (.143 avg) 2 Walks, K

Mark Kotsay, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) 2 Walks, 2 Ks, SB

Milton Bradley, 3 for 7 (.429 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 RBIs, 3 Walks, K

Frank Thomas, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) RBI, 2 Ks

Jay Payton, 3 for 5 (.600 avg) RBI, K

Nick Swisher, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Walk

Bobby Crosby, 0 for 2, Walk

Eric Chavez --

Mark Ellis, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) HR, 2 RBIs

///

Antonio Perez, 0 for 3, 2 Ks

[RoyNHSox]

Gabe Kapler, 7 for 25 (.280 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI, Walk, 5 Ks...

 

With those numbers against Zito this game would make more sense to have Kapler starting. The ones over the past few days should’ve had WMP up against Redman, Moyer, and Washburn. Maybe when Tito shakes up his Magic 8-Ball for tonight’s decision, WMP will get the start.

 

Edit: Announced on WEEI that WMP is starting tonight, batting 7th.

[jsinger121]

just win

[TheKilo]

 

With those numbers against Zito this game would make more sense to have Kapler starting. The ones over the past few days should’ve had WMP up against Redman, Moyer, and Washburn. Maybe when Tito shakes up his Magic 8-Ball for tonight’s decision, WMP will get the start.

 

 

Based on those #'s I will be shocked if Kapler doesn't start tonight.

[jsinger121]

Some tidbits to think about courtesy of today’s Red Sox notes package from the Boston Globe.

 

Winners win when they’re winning: At 59-38, the Sox have their best record after 97 games since 1979 (60-37/won game 98) . The Sox are tied with the White Sox for the majors’ second best winning percentage at .608, behind Detroit at .673.

 

A Royal repeat? Beckett turned in one his finest performances of the season his last time out on Wednesday vs. the Royals, limiting the Royals to four hits over eight shutout innings. With 27 homers allowed this season, Beckett has already surpassed his 2004 career high of 16. He has allowed 22 home runs on the road and only five at Fenway. Beckett took the loss in his only career start against Oakland on July 14 at Fenway Park, allowing seven runs in 4 1/3 innings in Boston’s 15-3 setback.

 

Hitting crazy like a Foxx: David Ortiz leads the majors with 33 homers and 94 RBIs. As a point of comparison, Jimmie Foxx, who set club records with 50 homers and 175 in 1938, had 26 homers and 97 RBI in 79 games through games of July 22 that season. In his first 96 games through August 12, Foxx had 29 homers and 109 RBI.

 

Homer happy: With Jason Varitek’s long ball on Sunday, the Red Sox have hit 83 home runs in their 52 road games, the most away homers in the league and an average of 1.60 per game.

 

Papelbon on fire: Jonathan Papelbon has earned saves in each of his last 3 games and leads the majors with 29 saves, tying Pittsburgh’s Rich Loiselle (1997) for the 5th most ever by a major league rookie. Next is 30 for Atlanta’s Kerry Ligtenberg in 1998 with record of 37 was set by Seattle’s Kazuhiro Sasaki in 2000. Papelbon’s 0.54 ERA over his 50 innings of work is the lowest among all major league pitchers who have worked more than 12 innings.

 

Young guns take aim: Sox have employed nine rookie pitchers in 2006, starters Kason Gabbard, Jon Lester, and David Pauley and relievers Abe Alvarez, Craig Breslow, Manny Delcarmen, Craig Hansen, Jonathan Papelbon, and Jermaine Van. The nine total rookie pitches and six currently on the roster are both the second highest among major league teams in 2006. The Florida Marlins have used 11 rookie pitchers, seven on their current roster.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

[TheKilo]

Lineups:

 

Red Sox

1. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

2. Mark Loretta, 2B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. Jason Varitek, C

6. Mike Lowell, 3B

7. Wily Mo Pena, RF

8. Coco Crisp, CF

9. Alex Gonzalez, SS

 

P--Josh Beckett

 

A's

1. Jason Kendall, C

2. Mark Kotsay, CF

3. Milton Bradley, RF

4. Frank Thomas, DH

5. Jay Payton, LF

6. Nick Swisher, 1B

7. Bobby Crosby, SS

8. Eric Chavez, 3B

9. Mark Ellis, 2B

 

P--Barry Zito

 

 

Varitek had a nice day yesterday, but I still think Lowell should be hitting 5th.

[riverside sluggers]

Quite the contrary, as Varitek since the Break has been hitting like a #5 hitter should

 

8 games, 11 for 31 (.355 avg) (.440 obp) 3 Doubles, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, 4 Runs, 4 Walks

[TheKilo]

Quite the contrary, as Varitek since the Break has been hitting like a #5 hitter should hit.

 

 

Good point.

 

 

I'm just glad to see WMP in there.

[Cocos Disciples]

Chavez hitting 8th?

[RoyNHSox]

I heard a quick snippet on NESN tonight saying “Gabbard will not be working out of the bullpen because of his history of arm problems“. They showed him doing a simulated throwing session. I know he’s had a history of arm surgeries, but does this mean he can’t (ever) serve as a reliever, or just something that affecting him now? I came in on the middle of the conversation so can anyone fill in the blanks?

[RedSoxRooter]

Beckett vs a +.500 team, road game, facing a lefty. Smells like a loss to me.

[SoxFan25]

hey guys...lets get a win today shall we?

[SoxFan25]

cmon josh lets get it going baby.

[SoxFan25]

Nice backwords K.

[a700hitter]

Although, Beckett on the road against a .500 + team is a recipe for a loss, the enormous foul territory could help Beckett who gets a lot of fouls on his high cheese.

[SoxFan25]

why the hell is beckett throwing so many fastballs?

[TheKilo]

Nice inning for Beckett. The two seamer to MB was filthy.

[SoxFan25]

1-2-3

[RedSoxRooter]

Pena needs a lighter and longer bat.

[SoxFan25]

niiiiiiiiiiiiice

 

thats seabass for you.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Has Beckett thrown anything other than a fastball thus far??

[TheKilo]

Has Beckett thrown anything other than a fastball thus far??

 

 

Yes, just not for a strike.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

After I mention that he throws two curves and a changeup haha

[SoxFan25]

lets get some runs shall we?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Coco Crisp continues to look more and more like this years Edgar Renteria

[TheKilo]

GONZO!!!

 

 

He should be hitting 5th.

[RoyNHSox]

Gonzo's been showing some power over the past couple of weeks.

[SoxFan25]

SEABASS