September 6th @ Baltimore

[TheKilo]

The title will get changed I don't really care. Also, I'm going to VT this weekend so if they win until then someone needs to pick up the slack.

 

Boston Red Sox (84-56) @ \Baltimore Orioles (60-78)

 

Last night's loss sucked, but turn the page. They've beaten Olsen twice this year so there is no reason why they can't do it again. Wake returns and leads the Sox.

 

Winning is better than losing. So WIN.

 

Battery reunites in Charm City

Boston (84-56) at Baltimore (60-78), Thursday, 7:05 p.m. ET

 

First things first: Tim Wakefield will start on Thursday night in Baltimore, and he will throw to Doug Mirabelli.

 

Both sides of baseball's preeminent knuckleball battery had missed time with injuries. Mirabelli has not played since Aug. 17, when he strained his right calf rounding third base. And it was Wakefield whose sore back prompted a shakeup in the starting rotation, allowing Clay Buchholz to pitch (and throw a no-hitter) on Saturday.

 

Wakefield's layoff did him some good. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said as much on Wednesday, claiming that Wakefield's missed start shouldn't cause concern.

 

"In fact, sometimes it can help," Francona said. "Sometimes guys getting a blow is not bad -- for their legs, for their body. As long as he's healthy, and makes his pitches, in the long run this will help him. I don't see this as being a problem."

 

Meanwhile, the Red Sox open their last series of the season against the Orioles. Only the Blue Jays and Devil Rays have gone down in defeat as many times as Baltimore has to Boston (nine times), but few teams have produced such memorable moments for Red Sox fans: Boston's improbable Mother's Day comeback from five runs down in the ninth, and the Buchholz no-hitter last weekend.

 

In the meantime, the Red Sox will look to recover from a draining, last-inning loss against the Jays on Wednesday. Their magic number in the American League East remained at 17 with a Yankees win.

 

Pitching matchup

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

Wakefield has a decision awarded in all the games he has started this season. Despite his steady presence in the rotation and the Red Sox's tireless 2007 campaign against the Orioles, Wakefield has faced Baltimore only once this season. On Aug. 2, he allowed three earned runs in seven innings, getting the win.

 

BAL: LHP Garrett Olson (1-3, 7.22 ERA)

Despite faring poorly in each of his six Major League starts, the 23-year-old lefty still has the sheen of a prospect. Olson, who has been promoted aggressively through the system, won't stick unless he improves upon his 25:26 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 7.22 ERA. Olson started opposite another 23-year-old pitching prospect on Saturday, allowing four earned runs and getting tagged with the loss. The opponent: Buchholz.

 

Player to watch

Outfielder Bobby Kielty, who will likely start against the lefty in place of either Jacoby Ellsbury or J.D. Drew. So far for the Red Sox, Kielty is 10-for-30 with a home run and a double, including two hits in Olson's last start.

[TheKilo]

No Jacoby tonight.

 

1. Julio Lugo, SS

2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Mike Lowell, 3B

5. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

6. Bobby Kielty, LF

7. J.D. Drew, RF

8. Coco Crisp, CF

9. Doug Mirabelli, C

[soxfan17881]

No Jacoby tonight.

 

All right! I like Kielty. He had some good at bats in the little he's played for the Sox. But why in the world would you not start Ellsbury??? He's on fire!

[soxfan17881]

Wakefield's cumulative stats for his last 6 starts:

http://philsox.spieles.com/images/wakestarts.jpg

 

I like the ERA.

[BoSox21]

I'd like to see how he comes back from the sore back

[riverside sluggers]

Tim Wakefield (44 games vs Baltimore, 14-13 & 4 saves with a 4.24 ERA---Career at Camden Yards in 22 games, 7-5 & 2 saves with a 3.59 ERA)

Brian Roberts, 7 for 40 (.175 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI, Walk, 6 Ks, 2 SBs

Tike Redman, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) SB

Nick Markakis, 3 for 14 (.143 avg) 2 Doubles, RBI, Walk, K

Miguel Tejada, 23 for 72 (.319 avg) 5 Doubles, 5 HRs, 11 RBIs, 2 Walks, 14 Ks, 2 SBs

Kevin Millar, 10 for 21 (.476 avg) 3 Doubles, 3 HRs, 7 RBIs, 2 Walks, K

Aubrey Huff, 8 for 49 (.163 avg) 2 Doubles, Triple, 3 HRs, 4 RBIs, 2 Walks, 8 Ks

Melvin Mora, 14 for 46 (.304 avg) 3 Doubles, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, 3 Walks, 11 Ks, 3 SBs

Ramon Hernandez, 11 for 34 (.324 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs, 2 Walks, 5 Ks

Jay Payton, 1 for 12 (.083 avg) 2 RBIs, 2 Ks

///

Paul Bako, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Walk

Brandon Fahey, 0 for 4

Corey Patterson, 1 for 12 (.083 avg) 2 RBIs, 3 Ks, 2 SBs

 

Garrett Olson (3 games vs Boston, 0-2 with a 7.75 ERA---Career at Camden Yards in 4 games, 1-1 with a 7.65 ERA)

Julio Lugo, 4 for 8 (.500 avg) Double, 3 RBIs

Dustin Pedroia, 2 for 8 (.250 avg) Walk

David Ortiz, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) Double, 4 RBIs, 2 Walks, 2 Ks

Mike Lowell, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) Double, Walk, K

Kevin Youkilis, 1 for 5 (.200 avg) 4 Walks, 2 Ks

Bobby Kielty, 2 for 5 (.400 avg) 3 Ks

J.D. Drew, 2 for 4 (.500 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, Walk, K

Coco Crisp, 2 for 8 (.250 avg) HR, 4 RBIs, K, SB

Doug Mirabelli, 1 for 1 (1.000 avg)

///

Kevin Cash, 0 for 1, K

Brandon Moss, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Walk, K

Manny Ramirez, 0 for 2, Walk, K

Jason Varitek, 1 for 4 (.250 avg) 2 Walks

 

Wakefield this season vs Baltimore in 2 games, 1-0 with a 7.94 ERA. On the road in 14 games, 7-6 with a 3.96 ERA

[redsoxrules]

i like our chances of winning 3 of 4 this weekend

[das11209]

They are not taking pitches - is this going to be another embarassmet by rookie? Already down 1 run.

[soxfan17881]

Already down by one. I'm not enjoying this. Plus, I'm at work and can't actually watch the game! We need to take 3/4 in this one. The Yankers have some real soft games leading into the series at Fenway.

[das11209]

More swings outside strike zone with eyes closed.

[soxfan17881]

Kielty K's!

 

Ellsbury has 1 strike out in 35 at bats.

[das11209]

Drew has ugly nunbers against lefties - not that he has all star numbers against righties.

 

Anyone thinks Drew might get a hit in this game or in the series for that matter?

[soxfan17881]

Now Snoozer Drew is up.

 

Our Father, who art in heaven...

[soxfan17881]

COME ON, WAKE!!!

[das11209]

How could Francona not play Ellsbury and play Drew - specially we will be handicapped today by the return of one of the slowest runners in the game - Dougie.

[soxfan17881]

There should be a law that states that managers have to explain line-up changes in cases where more than 50% of the fans have no freakin' clue what the manager is thinking!

[das11209]

At least - I don't have to see Cora offense and defense.

 

What a play by Lowell - wonder if he has a chance of gold glove with Chavez out. May be A-Rod or Inge will be on his way.

[soxfan17881]

Ellsbury BA - .429

Drew BA - .254

[das11209]

Hope Wake is OK - pitches are not really 'dancing' so far. He is getting by though.

[soxfan17881]

What a play by Lowell - wonder if he has a chance of gold glove with Chavez out. May be A-Rod or Inge will be on his way.

 

I'm not able to actually watch the game (at work). I'm following on MLB.com Gameday, which has all the appeal of a 10 year old video game with a broken controller. At least I know what the score is minute-by-minute.

[das11209]

I watch mlb.com premium if I am at work and there is a daygame.

 

For Christ's sake - try to score some runs initially. Do not depend on late innings rallies.

[das11209]

Dougie might have reinjured himself - Cash may have to replace him.

[redsoxrules]

good chance here

[das11209]

Belli looks OK. Coco should have been in second base with his hit and not 1st. In that case - he scores now.

 

Edit - no harm - he scores now.

[schillingouttheks]

'Atta boy Lugo. Some more, please. Dougie's out for the game...Clayton replaces him on the paths. Cash will take over.

[redsoxrules]

atta boy lugo , tie game still no out

[jacksonianmarch]

There should be a law that states that managers have to explain line-up changes in cases where more than 50% of the fans have no freakin' clue what the manager is thinking!

 

I watched a game in Pawtucket that Olsen threw and he completely dominated Ellsbury.

[soxfan17881]

LUGO!!!!

[soxfan17881]

I watched a game in Pawtucket that Olsen threw and he completely dominated Ellsbury.

 

Well, at least there's some logic to it then. Thanks!

[das11209]

Thanks to Millar - runners advanced.