Game Info
Date: Monday, September 5th, 2005
First Pitch: 12:05pm ET
TV: NESN/ESPN
Starting Pitchers:
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/cws.gif #41 Brandon McCarthy (1-1, 6.19)
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif #38 Curt Schilling (5-6, 6.96)
Boston ace looks to sock it to Chicago
Chicago (84-51) at Boston (80-55), 12:05 p.m. ET
The Red Sox and White Sox will finally complete a three-game series that was supposed to end on Aug. 14, only to see the finale get rained out.
Back then, Curt Schilling was working as the closer. Now, he's back in the rotation, and the big right-hander takes the ball for the third time since returning to his familiar role.
Schilling has yet to get locked in, but he finished his last start against the Devil Rays with four shutout innings. The White Sox will counter with Brandon McCarthy.
If the Red Sox are to overtake the White Sox for the best record in the American League, a victory in this one could be significant. Boston trails Chicago by four games.
If the teams finished the season with the same record, the Red Sox would have home field during the postseason, because they've already clinched the season series against the White Sox.
Pitching matchup
CWS: RHP Brandon McCarthy
• 1-1, 6.19 ERA in 2005
• First appearance vs. BOS
BOS: RHP Curt Schilling
• 5-6, 6.96 ERA in 2005
• 1-0, 8.44 ERA vs. CWS in 2005
Player to watch
John Olerud has three homers in his last four games after going deep just three times in his first 60 games.
Quotable
"We don't view him as [a utility player]. A lot of good players, they get into a year where they're that guy. It's not a lot of fun for them and really not a lot of fun for us. That probably won't be the case with him much longer in his career. Again, you don't make your roster out a year ahead of time, but I think we see him staying around here and being a helpful part of our ballclub." -- Terry Francona, on Kevin Youkilis
Quick hits
The Red Sox are 46-20 at Fenway Park, giving them the top home record in the American League. ... David Ortiz leads fellow slugger Manny Ramirez in average, runs, hits, doubles, homers, RBIs, walks, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. ... Closer Keith Foulke has pitched just once in four games since returning from the disabled list.
On deck
• Tuesday: vs. Los Angeles, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: vs. Los Angeles, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Thursday: vs. Los Angeles, 12:05 p.m. ET