4/30 @ Tropicana Field

[Thumper]

Extending my gamethreads to a streak of... one. Let's see if I can get two!

 

Red Sox take on them 'deviled' Rays (see what I did there? Yeah, I did that. What about it?) for some AL East conflict.

 

So let's do this, take the series, and depending on how the Blue Jays play, get ahead in the division. Nuff 'ced.

 

And now onto our belligerents.

 

http://www.tristarproductions.com/shows/Thumbs/Josh-Beckett.jpg

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/logos/38x45/bos_38x45.gif #19 Josh Beckett, RHP (2-1, 6.00)

Scouting Report: The ace was rocked in his last start, giving up 10 hits and eight runs over five innings against the Yankees. Beckett made that start on six days of rest after serving a five-game suspension. The right-hander gave up two homers in that start against the Yankees after not giving up any in his first three starts. Beckett has 13 walks and 23 strikeouts. This will be Beckett's second start of the season against Tampa Bay. On Opening Day, Beckett defeated the Rays, giving up two hits and a run over seven innings while striking out 10.

 

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2008/06/08/2004465757.jpg

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/logos/38x45/tb_38x45.gif #22 Matt Garza, RHP (1-2, 4.97)

Scouting Report: Garza struggled with his control Saturday against the A's when he walked four in a 5 2/3 innings outing that saw him surrender four runs on four hits, including a home run to Travis Buck. Garza has the best stuff on the staff and at age 25, the right-hander seems to be maturing on the mound, where he has experienced problems controlling his emotions in the past. The one thing he has lacked is consistency, as he has been either lights out or doesn't have it. He needs to learn how to win when he doesn't have his best stuff. Garza is 4-1 with a 3.40 ERA in seven career starts and he is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA against the Red Sox in 2009.

 

Mojo of the Day:

 

JULIO LUGO! AND WHY WE LOVE HIM MOJO!

http://www.projo.com/photos/20070818/SP0818_REDSOX_error_08-18-07_NG6PS4A.jpg

 

This mojo brought to you by the Julio Lugo Fan Club

[Cocos Disciples]

Go Julio Lugo.

 

And the rest of the team.

[jacksonianmarch]

Garza owns the sox. Should be a good game

[Cocos Disciples]

Beckett vs. Rays (2008-09, since prior to that is basically irrelevant): 3-1, 1.76 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 47 K/8 BB.

 

So, that's a thing.

[BoSox21]

Beckett better have a good outing, the bullpen is absolutely spent

[ItRaysAlot]

8-14 at the end of April was not the start I was hoping for. Rays hit, but don't pitch. Rays pitch, but don't hit. They have had problems bringing a complete game on a consistant basis. However, to me, this series at home is exactly what the Rays need. A big matchup w/a series win can hopefully change the tide and lead to a strong May.

[TheKilo]

lol welcome back your team blows

[Cocos Disciples]

Can they change their name back to the Devil Rays now that they suck again?

[BoSox21]

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF

2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

5. J.D. Drew, RF

6. Jason Bay, LF

7. Mike Lowell, 3B

8. George Kottaras, C

9. Julio Lugo, SS

-- Josh Beckett, SP

[das11209]

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF

2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

5. J.D. Drew, RF

6. Jason Bay, LF

7. Mike Lowell, 3B

8. George Kottaras, C

9. Julio Lugo, SS

-- Josh Beckett, SP

 

Seriously need to bring Ortiz down.

[TheKilo]

Nice to see Kottaras in there.

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah I'm glad Kottaras isn't limited to Wakefield starts.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Pasta mojo is hardcore tonight. I mixed 14 different types of pasta. Nine for the lineup, one for Beckett, and four for possible bullpen and bench players. Should help.

[BoSox21]

1. B.J. Upton, CF

2. Carl Crawford, LF

3. Evan Longoria, 3B

4. Carlos Pena, 1B

5. Pat Burrell, DH

6. Gabe Gross, RF

7. Akinori Iwamura, 2B

8. Michel Hernandez, C

9. Jason Bartlett, SS

-- Matt Garza, SP

[Youk Of The Nation]

Who the f*** is Michael Hernandez.

[BoSox21]

apparently he played in 5 games for Tampa last season which was the first time in the big leagues since being with the Yankees in 2003

[Youk Of The Nation]

Obviously he never made much of an impact. I don't even minimally recall his name.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Seeing all these 'fans' rooting for the Rays still pisses me off.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Where is everyone?

[redsoxrules]

well that sucked

 

I hope Beckett has his A game tonight

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Game threading tonight. Pop pop.

 

 

Unfortunately stuck with gamecast.

[Cocos Disciples]

Is that Buck Martinez on NESN?

[Cocos Disciples]

HEY GUYZ did you know Gabe Gross played college football? How wonderful!

[Cocos Disciples]

Great first 2 innings for Beckett.

[redsoxrules]

Sweet we got Iwamura out!

[Spudboy]

Good evening gentlemen. I'm late. Had to drop my Daughter off. Beckett looks good? That's f***in' great.

I take it Garza looks good too.

 

Hey, did you guys hear That Dave Roberts will be joining NESN as of next Monday?

[Cocos Disciples]

It'd be really nice to hit Garza.

[riverside sluggers]

Garza has retired the first 9 batters on 37 pitches

[Spudboy]

I think we will see a pitchers duel tonight. Let's hope Beckett does not give up any homers and that we get lucky on a few bad pitches from Garza. No errors would be nice too.

[Cocos Disciples]

Phenomenal, two infield dribblers for hits.