8/11 @ Royals

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Making early because I know I'll wake up late tomorrow. Not going to risk it.

 

Team is built to win, that's what we'll continue to do.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/525x330/alt/407793.jpg

 

John Lackey(7-9, 3.21 ERA)

 

vs

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/players/525x330/448306.jpg

 

James Shields(6-8, 3.36 ERA)

 

Shields got beat up his last outing, expect the same tomorrow. Lackey deserved a win his last outing, and didn't get it. So we're going to smack the s*** out of Shields and get Lackey this win. Lets get this win! Go Sox!

[BornToRun]

Let's hope we can continue to get lucky with your replacement level Mojo.

[VA Sox Fan]

RED SOX (71-48)

Ellsbury CF

Victorino RF

Pedroia 2B

Ortiz DH

Nava LF

Napoli 1B

Drew SS

Lavarnwway C

Middlebrooks 3B

Pitching: RHP John Lackey (7-9, 3.21).

[VA Sox Fan]

ROYALS (60-54)

Lough RF

Hosmer 1B

Butler DH

Gordon LF

Perez C

Moustakas 3B

Escobar SS

Dyson CF

Johnson 2B

Pitching: RHP James Shields (6-7, 3.08).

 

Game time: 2:10 p.m.

 

TV/Radio: NESN / WEEI.

 

Red Sox vs. Shields: Ortiz 19-60, Pedroia 17-57, Ellsbury 12-52, Napoli 6-23, Salty 0-14, Nava 2-9, Victorino 2-5, Drew 2-5, Carp 1-4, Gomes 1-2.

 

Royals vs. Lackey: Tejada 14-47, Butler 6-12, Gordon 4-10, Escobar 0-3, Hosmer 1-3, Moustakas 1-2.

 

Stat of the Day: John Lackey is making his first appearance at Kauffman Stadium since Sept. 5, 2009. He is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in three career starts in Kansas City.

 

Notes: The Sox need a win to split the series. They are 2-4 against the Royals this season. ... The Sox start the day with a three-game lead in the division and are 3-3 on a road trip that continues in Toronto on Tuesday. ... Lackey is 3-3, 3.36 in nine career starts against the Royals. He is facing them for the first time since July 27, 2011. ... Shields is 8-13, 4.44 in 24 career starts against the Sox. He did not have a decision against the Sox at Fenway Park on April 20 when he allowed one run over six innings and struck out eight. ... Drew has a 10-game hit streak (17 of 41). ... The Royals lead the all-time series against the Sox 222-221.

[jung]

Be interesting to see how Lackey goes after the Royals. Farrell indicating again in pre-game that he realizes the Royals are just all over home plate. Butler has just had complete distain for Sox pitching. Lets see of Mr. Lackey can do better.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Nice throw!

[Palodios]

Victorino's back is a magnet. Hard things tend to fly right into it.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

I'll take runs anyway possible.

[Jasonbay44]

Good base running by Victorino to set up that run.

[Station 13]

Yeesh Nava is hitting 5th?

[Station 13]

Let's go Lackey, you haven't had many leads to work with.

[Jasonbay44]

Lackey really needed that

[Palodios]

Crucial crucial double play.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Lackey gets the DP we desperately needed, good stuff.

[Station 13]

This is horrible to watch.

[jung]

For crying out loud....another guy steals without the Sox pitcher even looking over

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Lackey will get his control back and we'll be alright

[Station 13]

Did you see that? Gordon was 2/3 to 2B before the ball get to Lavarnway. He can't hold them.

[Station 13]

Ellsbury saving Lackey's bacon.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Ellsbury said no base hit for you

[Jasonbay44]

Lackey doesn't give a s*** about the runners at all, I know salty/Lavarnway aren't great defensively, but there is a lot of times they have no chance at all due to pitcher

[jung]

Naps might well K four times today

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Couldn't even hit a beach ball

[Station 13]

Napoli moving out the penthouse to the poor house.

[dupree]

That sliding catch Ells just made is the kind of play that he makes on a regular basis and is showing more and more each game why the Sox has to resign him. I hope he can have more games like he did lastnite.

[Station 13]

Nothing I hate more than these AAA players can't even work the count when they don't hit.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Our pitching this entire series has been nothing short of vomit inducing.

[jung]

Lackey doesn't give a s*** about the runners at all, I know salty/Lavarnway aren't great defensively, but there is a lot of times they have no chance at all due to pitcher

 

None of the Sox starters seem to care. Royals have been running wild and the Sox pitchers are hardly looking over, never mind throwing over. Between not pitching inside (at least Lackey is trying to keep these guys from owning home plate) and not holding runners, there seems to be some pretty basic pitching fundamentals that the Sox pitchers just don't care about. Maybe what progress, Lester and Buch made early is more due to Lester and Buch and has less to do with Nieves and Farrell. There are some pretty big holes in the staff skill set and it has started to show in crunch time, post ASB. Since it is staff-wide it is hard to blame the individual pitchers.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

No location

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Our pitching this entire series has been nothing short of vomit inducing.

 

It's not always on the Sox. Look at it from another POV, the Royals are playing better than they should be. Since the all star break, they've been on fire.