April 19th @ Toronto (Manny starts a big comeback)

[TheKilo]

I hope this isn't just a one game streak...

 

BOSTON RED SOX (8-5) at TORONTO BLUE JAYS (8-6)

 

PITCHING MATCHUP

 

Julian Tavarez (0-1, 9.00 ERA)

http://redsoxchick.mlblogs.com/red_sox_chick/images/jtneckjg_1.jpg

 

Tavarez will be making his first start in 12 days when he finally gets the ball again in the series finale against the Blue Jays. Command was an issue in his previous start, as he walked five while striking out three in his 2007 debut as Boston's fifth starter. Tavarez has twice had his second start pushed back, after Red Sox rainouts on April 12 and again on Sunday

 

 

Roy Halladay (2-0, 2.35 ERA)

http://www.endscore.com/blogimages/roy_halladay.jpg

 

Halladay has been his usual dominant self to start the 2007 season. On Friday he outdueled Tigers ace Jeremy Bonderman to earn his second win of the season. The former Cy Young Award winner allowed only one run on six hits over 10 innings of work against the Tigers. Halladay is 8-7 with a 4.60 ERA in 27 appearances vs. the Red Sox.

 

GAME PREVIEW

 

Tavarez Gets Finale Nod After Long Layoff

 

Out of mothballs and on to the mound, Red Sox right-hander Julian Tavarez will pitch Thursday's rubber match of a three-game series against the Blue Jays on 11 days of rest.

 

When the Red Sox had two rainouts at Fenway last week, Tavarez was the one who twice got bumped from a scheduled start. He'll try to use all his pent-up energy to his advantage when he takes on the Jays.

 

"If you want the time to go fast, you can't control it," Tavarez said. "Just take it day by day. Just do my little things like my running and my long-toss."

 

The last time Tavarez pitched at Rogers Centre was Sept. 22, and he responded with his best performance in a Boston uniform. Tavarez went the distance that night, downing the Jays, 7-1.

 

Tavarez's took the loss in his previous start, an 8-4 defeat in Texas on April 7. Sox manager Terry Francona does not plan on keeping Tavarez on a short leash simply because he hasn't pitched in a while.

 

"I don't think we need to send him into a start thinking he's going to go short," Francona said. "I think it will depend on how he pitches. He has that ability. He pitched six innings in winter ball after being home. I don't think that's much of an issue. It will be more how he's pitching."

 

Tavarez will likely need to be at this best. He'll be opposed by one of the best in the game in Jays ace Roy Halladay.

[TheKilo]

Here's the lineups:

 

Red Sox

 

1. Coco Crisp, CF

2. Kevin Youkilis, 3B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. JD Drew, RF

6. Jason Varitek, C

7. Eric Hinske, 1B

8. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

9. Alex Cora, SS

 

SP - Julian Tavarez

 

Blue Jays

 

1. Alex Rios, RF

2. Adam Lind, LF

3. Vernon Wells, CF

4. Frank Thomas, DH

5. Lyle Overbay, 1B

6. Aaron Hill, 2B

7. Gregg Zaun, C

8. Jason Smith, 3B

9. John McDonald, SS

 

SP - Roy Halladay

[BoSox21]

weekday matinees make baby jesus cry

[TheKilo]

Hooray for the 8-9-1 suckfest. s***.

[Cocos Disciples]

Good to see Tito's putting the best lineup out there.

[BoSox21]

look on the bright side, today doesn't look too favorable anyway with the pitching matchup and this gives us Schilling, Beckett & Dice-K with a fresh lineup for the Yankee series

[Cityofchampions33]

tito always seems to do these untimely rests, but then again sometiems it pays off. If we even come close to a victory today, I'll be happy, especially with Halladay coming off a 10 inning complete game v. Detroit.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Tavarez goes 8IP with 5H, 3BB and 7K. Bank it.

[MANNYHOF24]

Sox win 14-3, you can bank that.

[ORS]

Julian, float like a butterfly, sting like a bee today....

 

http://thebellparkinglot.com/tavarez1.jpg

[jacksonianmarch]

awesome pic ORS.

[jacksonianmarch]

Sox win 14-3' date=' you can bank that.[/quote']

 

in Toronto against Halladay? Wow, that is a ballsy pick.

[jacksonianmarch]

No Lugo, no Lowell?? Against Halladay?

[TedWilliams101]

You know, I can understand that Tito wanted to keep the 1-2-3 starters against the Yankees this weekend, but I honestly think pitching Schil today would be a better choice. Today we face Halladay, so it will be a tough win, but if we were to throw Schil out there, we would have a far better chance to win the game than with Tavarez. Now, I don't see a problem in the Yankees series if we put up the 2-3-4 starter. We would still be pitching Beckett and Matsuzaka, but Wake would start the 3rd game. The way Wake is pitching right now, I don't see a significant advantage, if any, to have Schil instead of Wake. I see it this way, what would be the best way to win BOTH games (today, and the 3rd game of the Yankee series)? Putting Tavarez out there is really giving the Red Sox a real tough task. Schil gives the sox a good chance against the Yanks. Now, if we put schil against Halladay, our chances, i believe, are significantly better, and the difference between wake and schil against the yanks isn't. (With they way wake is pitching)

[jacksonianmarch]

Wake owns us too, it will be nice to miss him in the launching pad.

[ORS]

That's wrong, though. They could have pitched Schilling on regular rest today, but then Tavarez would have had to face the Yankees twice. He'd have to go tomorrow, or else you throw everyone else on short rest, which isn't ideal in April.

[TedWilliams101]

IDK about leaving Lugo and Lowell out of the lineup today. Coco did look better yesterday, but that doesn't make me feel much better. I understand though, since lugo and lowell are both righties, to put Coco in the leadoff spot where he'll hit from the left side, then Hinske and Cora, both lefties. Hinske has looked good so far too. But IDK about Lowell. He's looked good lately.

[jacksonianmarch]

That's wrong' date=' though. They could have pitched Schilling on regular rest today, but then Tavarez would have had to face the Yankees twice. He'd have to go tomorrow, or else you throw everyone else on short rest, which isn't ideal in April.[/quote']

 

another good point. I thought Becks pitched before the rainout, but now I remember he threw on Pats day.

[Cocos Disciples]

Coco in the leadoff spot...and he worked the count full?

[TedWilliams101]

Ya, I guess thats true. Well, lets hope for the best out of Tavarez!

[Cocos Disciples]

And then he grounds back to Wah Halladay.

[TedWilliams101]

YOOOUUUKKK

[jacksonianmarch]

Cocout. 1 away.

 

Gameday has Halladay all over the place to start. That pitch to Youks was in the geometric center of the zone.

[Cocos Disciples]

Halladay makes all 3 outs with the glove.

[jacksonianmarch]

10 pitches through the 1st.

[TedWilliams101]

I have a feeling this is going to be a short game...

[TedWilliams101]

Here we go...

Make me proud Tavarez

[jacksonianmarch]

I have a feeling this is going to be a short game...

 

on one end. Tavarez drags games out a LOOOONG way.

[Cocos Disciples]

Hey cool an out.

[TedWilliams101]

WOOOOOO Tavarez!!!!