ahhh it's good to be home for the start of a 14 game homestand....Let's Go Sox!!!!!
Game Info
Date: Friday, August 26th, 2005
First Pitch: 8:05 pm ET
TV: WSBK/ NESN
Starting Pitchers:
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/5885.jpghttp://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/TALKSOX/VS.GIFhttp://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/4906.jpg
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/det.gif #21 Jason Johnson (7-9, 4.09)
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif #49 Tim Wakefield (12-10, 4.29)
Red Sox look to make a stand at Fenway
Detroit (61-64) at Boston (72-53), 8:05 p.m. ET
Veteran right-hander Tim Wakefield will try to get the Red Sox off and running as they open a 14-game homestand against the Tigers on Friday night at Fenway Park.
The start of the game, which had been slated for 7:05 p.m. ET, has been pushed back one hour to give the grounds crew an additional hour to prepare the playing field following this week's Rolling Stones concerts at Fenway Park.
Wakefield leads the Red Sox with his 12 wins and opponents are hitting just .253 against him.
Boston could be a groggy bunch after a late-night flight from Kansas City, but will be anxious to see Fenway Park again. The Red Sox are a dominating 38-18 on their home field this year.
The Tigers will be looking to rebound after Oakland blasted them 11-1 on Thursday. Detroit is a respectable 18-17 against the rugged American League East this year.
Pitching matchup
BOS: RHP Tim Wakefield
• 12-10, 4.29 ERA in 2005
• 1-0, 3.86 ERA vs. DET in 2005
DET: RHP Jason Johnson
• 7-9, 4.09 ERA in 2005
• 0-0, 1.29 ERA vs. BOS in 2005
Player to watch
Third baseman Bill Mueller is hitting .377 over his last 18 games, going 26-for-69 during that stretch.
Quotable
"Home is awesome for us. There's just something about Fenway." -- Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon
Quick hits
The Red Sox have not come out on top in their last four road series. They have three series losses and one series split over that span. ... Jonathan Papelbon made his first career appearance out of the bullpen on Thursday. He allowed two hits and one run over two innings. ... The six earned runs allowed by Curt Schilling on Thursday were more than he had allowed in nine previous outings against Kansas City. Coming into the game, Schilling had allowed five runs to Kansas City over 25 innings.
On deck
• Saturday: vs. Tigers, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: vs. Tigers, 2:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: vs. Devil Rays, 7:05 p.m. ET