August 31st vs. Baltimore

[TheKilo]

Ok, that was a bad series. Not a big deal though, up 5 with 28 to go should inspire a lot of confidence for Sox fans. We just need to keep winning series and we'll be totally fine.

 

Baltimore Orioles (58-74) @ Boston Red Sox (80-54)

 

Wakefield aims for win No. 17

Boston (80-54) vs. Baltimore (58-74), Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET

 

Tim Wakefield is enjoying something of a rejuvenation at the age of 41.

 

He's shaved half a run off his ERA from a season ago, and he's already won 16 games. That latter number is as many as he's won in any season since 1998 -- and a victory in Friday night's series opener against the Orioles would give him sole possession of the Major League lead over John Lackey of the Angels and teammate Josh Beckett.

 

Most impressively, nobody's scored upon Wakefield in 22 innings. He's won three games over the span, allowing just nine hits. And after starting the year 5-7, he's since gone 11-3. He has yet to record a no-decision in 26 starts.

 

The Red Sox could use more of the same out of Wakefield, and there's little reason to believe they won't get it. This weekend's series with the Orioles marks the start of a soft September schedule, which includes another four-game set at Baltimore and six games against the Devil Rays.

 

Yet the Orioles aren't likely to make things easy. Rookie starter Radhames Liz has nothing to lose and everything to prove, pitching for only the second time in his big league career.

 

Pitching matchup

BOS: RHP Tim Wakefield (16-10, 4.16 ERA)

Wakefield hasn't allowed a run in 22 innings, winning all three of his starts over that span. He also won the last time he saw the Orioles on Aug. 2, allowing three runs over seven innings. Last year, he held a 3.90 ERA against Baltimore in five starts.

 

BAL: RHP Radhames Liz (0-1, 7.50 ERA)

Liz comes fresh off his Major League debut, in which he gave up five runs to the Twins in six innings. He was 11-4 with a 3.22 ERA for Double-A Bowie before the promotion, striking out 161 batters in 137 innings.

 

Player to watch

Aubrey Huff has only seven hits in 48 at-bats off Wakefield, but three of those hits were home runs. Huff has eight long balls in August, and is batting .360 for the month.

[jacksonianmarch]

Sox will take 2 of 3 in their sleep.

[inkman]

Sox will make Liz look like Cy Sonnanstine (sp?). You know, the latest no name scrub that will deal or at least the Sox would make it seem so.

[inkman]

I am making the roadie up to Boston this weekend, so maybe a little inkman mojo is in the works.

[redsoxrules]

with the yanks playing tampa , we need a sweep

[BoSox21]

this is totally random but Pete Shepard is an idiot

[TheKilo]

with the yanks playing tampa ' date=' we need a sweep[/quote']

 

Yes, we NEED a sweep.

[redsoxrules]

Yes' date=' we NEED a sweep. [/quote']

 

if the yanks sweep the rays and we win 2 of 3 , were only 4 up

[Gom]

A sweep is in the cards. Orioles sweep Red Sox, scoring 217 runs in the three game set. Wait and see.

[See Red]

if the yanks sweep the rays and we win 2 of 3 ' date=' were only 4 up[/quote']

 

Tampa plays New York quite well. I don't think NY will sweep.

[TheKilo]

if the yanks sweep the rays and we win 2 of 3 ' date=' were only 4 up[/quote']

 

With 25 to go.

 

OH NOES THE WORLD IS ENDING!!!

[mtbykr]

Wake is out tonight becuase of back spasms....JT is pitching in his place per WEEI

[mtbykr]

Here's the info:

 

 

Tim Wakefield has been scratched from tonight's start because of a sore back. Julian Tavarez will move from his scheduled tomorrow to tonight. A starter for Saturday has not been determined.

 

Wakefield, according to Red Sox PR honcho John Blake, will undergo further treatment and evaluation, and is expected to miss just one turn in the rotation. Wakefield hasn't allowed a run in 22 straight innings, becoming one of the most dominant pitchers in the league of late. He's 16-10 with a 4.16 ERA in 26 starts.

 

Kevin Cash will remain in the lineup at catcher.

[mtbykr]

1. Brian Roberts, 2B

2. Corey Patterson, CF

3. Nick Markakis, RF

4. Miguel Tejada, SS

5. Kevin Millar, DH

6. Aubrey Huff, 1B

7. Melvin Mora, 3B

8. Ramon Hernandez, C

9. Jay Payton, LF

 

SP: Radhames Liz, RHP

 

 

 

 

 

1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

2. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Mike Lowell, 3B

5. J.D. Drew, RF

6. Coco Crisp, CF

7. Eric Hinske, LF

8. Julio Lugo, SS

9. Kevin Cash, C

 

SP. - Julian Tavarez

[Youk Of The Nation]

God damn Tavarez better win or I swear...

[a700hitter]

This lineup sucks. Wake is not pitching, so why are we getting Cash. He swings with his eyes closed.

[redsoxrules]

Papi ! 1-0

[riverside sluggers]

Blah, Manny is out indefinitely with a strained oblique, now Wakefield is having back spasms. He noted the back spasms after his last start. Cmon Sox get past these hurdles!

 

Radhames Liz (1 game vs Boston, 6.00 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 1 game, 6.00 ERA)

Dustin Pedroia, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Double, K

Kevin Youkilis, 0 for 1

David Ortiz, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) HR, RBI

Mike Lowell, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) K

J.D. Drew, 0 for 1

Coco Crisp, 2 Walks

Eric Hinske, 1 for 1 (1.000 avg) Double, RBI, Walk

Julio Lugo, 0 for 1

Kevin Cash, 0 for 1

///

Bobby Kielty, 0 for 1, K

 

Julian Tavarez (16 games vs Baltimore, 2-4 with a 5.44 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 48 games, 9-9 & 1 save with a 4.79 ERA)

Brian Roberts, 3 for 11 (.273 avg) Double, 3 RBIs, Walk

Corey Patterson, 4 for 15 (.267 avg) Double, RBI

Nick Markakis, 6 for 12 (.500 avg) 2 Doubles, HR, RBI

Miguel Tejada, 5 for 15 (.333 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, Walk

Kevin Millar, 3 for 10 (.300 avg) Double, HR, RBI, 4 Walks, 2 Ks

Aubrey Huff, 6 for 14 (.429 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 RBIs

Melvin Mora, 7 for 9 (.778 avg) Double, 2 RBIs

Ramon Hernandez, 3 for 15 (.200 avg) Double, 3 RBIs, K

Jay Payton, 2 for 12 (.167 avg) Double, K

///

Paul Bako, 0 for 4, RBI, 2 Ks

Tike Redman, 3 for 9 (.333 avg) Double, RBI, K, SB

 

Tavarez this season vs Baltimore in 3 games, 0-2 with a 7.56 ERA. At home in 11 games, 2-6 with a 5.17 ERA

[redsoxrules]

dammit lowell

[TedWilliams101]

I don't think I've ever seen someone as Fragile as JD Drew.

[TedWilliams101]

So this could mean Manny, Kielty, and JD Drew aren't available. Time to call up Jacoby.

[Cocos Disciples]

Ellsbury will come up anyways with expanded rosters.

[redsoxrules]

hinske! 2-0

[TedWilliams101]

I hope Kielty is fine enough to play 8 frames tonight. If not, I'm surprised Tito didn't make any moves to bring up a healthy 4th OF for the time being.

[soxfan17881]

I'm hoping that they will parlay the anger they must be feeling after these past three games and stop on the Orioles. The Orioles have a bad habit of playing better against better teams (reference the 30 - 3 stomping the took via the Rangers) but the Sox are a better team and need to make it known.

[riverside sluggers]

I hope Kielty is fine enough to play 8 frames tonight. If not' date=' I'm surprised Tito didn't make any moves to bring up a healthy 4th OF for the time being.[/quote']

 

Tomorrow is Sept 1, hence the callups will begin across the majors. Jacoby Ellsbury and Brandon Moss look to be called up, along with Bucholz who is in line to start tomorrow, and 1st baseman Chris Carter. Just a few names I caught during the last weekly chat with Sean MacAdams on weei

[redsoxrules]

missed a great chance there to add a few more runs

[redsoxrules]

f***...tavarez falling appart

[riverside sluggers]

Tavarez cant buy an out

 

I guess Tito's waiting until its 7-2

[TedWilliams101]

Just get to their pen please.