September 10th vs. Tampa Bay

[riverside sluggers]

http://www.thephoenix.com/SoxBlog/content/binary/Curt.Schilling.jpg

 

Schilling to be tested by Rays

Tampa Bay (60-83) at Boston (87-57), Monday, 7:05 p.m. ET

 

At a time when Daisuke Matsuzaka is struggling and Tim Wakefield is coming off a back injury, the Red Sox could use a vintage Curt Schilling as the regular season winds down. Schilling has pitched effectively in his past three starts, going 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA. He'll try to carry that momentum into his start against the Devil Rays on Monday night, when he'll be opposed by left-hander Scott Kazmir. In his last start against the Blue Jays, Schilling took a no-decision, giving up eight hits and three runs over six innings.

 

As for the Red Sox, they're focused on finishing strong. Entering this six-game homestand, the Red Sox lead the Yankees by 5 1/2 games in the American League East. Their magic number for clinching the division is 14. "I think we feel good. I think we feel lively, we feel fresh and I think we've got a good beat on this team right now," said closer Jonathan Papelbon. "We've got a good spirit and a good feeling about the season. That's all you can ask for, really." Though the Red Sox have led the division since April 18, they've kept a very narrow mind-set.

 

"We've got to win, that's it," said ace Josh Beckett. "Find a way to win every day."

 

Pitching matchup

BOS: RHP Curt Schilling (8-6, 4.04 ERA)

Schilling was solid but unspectacular during a Wednesday night start against the Blue Jays -- the victim of a fifth-inning-singles binge that put the Red Sox in a 3-1 hole. Otherwise, Schilling threw six efficient innings. He gave up three earned runs on eight hits, and he was in line for the win until the bullpen blew the lead. Schilling took responsibility for the loss. "I fell into a rut," he said. "It ended up being the game."

 

TB: LHP Scott Kazmir (11-8, 3.79 ERA)

Kazmir overcame a tough beginning on Tuesday against the Orioles to give the team seven innings. The Rays left-hander allowed four runs on nine hits en route to a no-decision. After a first half in which he struggled to find his mechanics, Kazmir has been a different pitcher in the second half, limiting his pitch count and lasting longer while still showing electric stuff. He's 5-4 with a 2.82 in 15 career starts against the Red Sox.

 

Player to watch

Sox outfielder Bobby Kielty is a .438 lifetime hitter (7-for-16) against Kazmir.

[riverside sluggers]

No news on manny's return. Ortiz gets the night off, one reason being his lack of success against Kazmir and the more serious reason is that his knee is starting to hurt him more again. Check out todays lineup

 

Scott Kazmir (16 games vs Boston, 6-4 with a 2.62 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 9 games, 4-3 with a 2.76 ERA)

Julio Lugo, 3 for 14 (.214 avg) 2 RBIs, 5 Ks

Coco Crisp, 6 for 23 (.261 avg) 2 Doubles, Walk, 8 Ks

Dustin Pedroia, 8 for 15 (.533 avg) Double, RBI, Walk, K

Mike Lowell, 6 for 22 (.273 avg) Double, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 3 Walks, 5 Ks

Bobby Kielty, 8 for 19 (.421 avg) Double, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, Walk, 4 Ks

Kevin Youkilis, 5 for 26 (.192 avg) Double, 5 Walks, 13 Ks

Jason Varitek, 4 for 19 (.211 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, 7 Walks, 7 Ks

Jacoby Ellsbury, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) K

Alex Cora, 2 for 6 (.333 avg) RBI, K

///

Kevin Cash, 0 for 2, Walk, 2 Ks

Royce Clayton, 1 for 4 (.250 avg) Double, Walk, 3 Ks

J.D. Drew, 0 for 3, 2 Ks

Eric Hinske, 0 for 2, 2 Ks

Doug Mirabelli, 2 for 8 (.250 avg) Double, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

David Ortiz, 5 for 34 (.147 avg) Double, HR, 4 RBIs, 5 Walks, 9 Ks

Manny Ramirez, 6 for 39 (.154 avg) Double, HR, 3 RBIs, 4 Walks, 12 Ks

 

Curt Schilling (22 games vs Tampa Bay, 11-7 & 2 saves with a 3.70 ERA---Career at Fenway Park in 68 games, 28-10 & 6 saves with a 4.04 ERA)

Akinori Iwamura, 1 for 3 (.333 avg)

Carl Crawford, 16 for 48 (.333 avg) 4 Doubles, HR, 2 RBIs, Walk, 7 Ks, 3 SBs

Carlos Pena, 0 for 3, K

B.J. Upton, 2 for 13 (.154 avg) Walk, 4 Ks

Delmon Young, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) 3 Ks

Brendan Harris, 0 for 3

Greg Norton, 8 for 22 (.364 avg) 3 Doubles, HR, 3 RBIs, 4 Walks, 9 Ks

Dioner Navarro, 2 for 6 (.333 avg) Walk, K

Josh Wilson, 0 for 1, RBI

///

Jonny Gomes, 1 for 18 (.056 avg) HR, RBI, Walk, 11 Ks

Josh Paul, 2 for 3 (.667 avg) Double, RBI

Shawn Riggans, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) K

 

Kazmir this season vs Boston in 5 games, 1-2 with a 2.68 ERA. At Fenway Park in 3 games, 1-1 with a 1.42 ERA. On the road in 14 games, 8-4 with a 3.77 ERA

 

Schilling this season at home in 10 games, 3-2 with a 4.23 ERA

[TheKilo]

lol Lugo is the DH.

[Thumper]

No Mango Salsa Mojo tonight then...

 

Just f***ing win.

[redsoxrules]

good start for schill

[Thumper]

1 hitless inning. That's amazing for Schilling. Ha ha.

 

He looks like he's feeling good.

[soxfan17881]

First wasted opportunity of the night, there.

[Thumper]

Okay Schil, don't s*** the bed and just hold em through 6.

[Thumper]

Schilling seems to be doing well. If we can only get some damn run support, Schilling can go three more innings and then the bullpen magic could secure the win tonight.

[redsoxrules]

it dosent look good for runs tonight , so schilling needs to keep putting up zero's on the board

[MANNYHOF24]

since I am at college now and can't see the games can somebody tell me how hard Schilling is throwing tonight?

[jacksonianmarch]

88-89

[das11209]

it dosent look good for runs tonight ' date=' so schilling needs to keep putting up zero's on the board[/quote']

 

 

Two words - 'Tampa Bullpen'. Thats what we need if we have any chance of winning this game.

[redsoxrules]

Two words - 'Tampa Bullpen'. Thats what we need if we have any chance of winning this game.

 

that wont happen anytime soon as kazmir is only at 40 pitches

[BoSox21]

Kazmir looks on tonight as opposed to the last time we faced him

[soxfan17881]

Keilty is a strike out machine!

[soxfan17881]

Another outing for Schilling with no run support.

 

Oh terriffic! A lead off double! Damn!

[soxfan17881]

ARRRGGGGHHHH! 1-0

[das11209]

Cora's 'spectacular' defensive ability on display there.

[das11209]

Carlos Pena up. Careful Curt

 

I am upset that he slipped through our fingers - only consolation is that Yankees f***ed up too - they could have used him.

[soxfan17881]

That was a painful double-play.

[riverside sluggers]

Cora 0 for 2. First AB was grounding into fielders choise, coulve been a DP. Next AB he makes up for it by lining into an inning ending double play

 

Kazmir at 75 pitches through 5. he should be good to go 7 innings tonight

[redsoxrules]

Cora 0 for 2. First AB was grounding into fielders choise, coulve been a DP. Next AB he makes up for it by lining into an inning ending double play

 

 

its ellsbury fault that it was a DP

[das11209]

Cora 0 for 2. First AB was grounding into fielders choise, coulve been a DP. Next AB he makes up for it by lining into an inning ending double play

 

Kazmir at 75 pitches through 5. he should be good to go 7 innings tonight

 

 

As much as Cora detests me - it was Ellsbury's fault.

[das11209]

Curt is doing pretty well - hopefully offence can make Kazmir work a bit more.

[das11209]

We have all suck bench ( Cora. Hinske, Kielty) - I am very worried about post-season.

[riverside sluggers]

We have all suck bench ( Cora. Hinske' date=' Kielty) - I am very worried about post-season.[/quote']

 

Dont forget that either Mirabelli or Cash will also join that bench

 

Lowell had Kazmir at 3-0, end of the bat its an akward swing at a pitch near the dirt. 2 innings left to get at least 1 measly run back. Currently there is no action in the D-Rays pen with Kazmir at 96 pitches

[das11209]

If it is just 1 run - we will have our chance on 8th and 9th innings. Offence needs to take advantage once Kazmir is gone.

[das11209]

Corey in - I see no reason ro be excited to see that.

 

And he gives a hit immediately.

[das11209]

OK - let's go offence.

 

Anyone knows if Manny will play this weekend against the Yankees?