MANNYHOF24

Game Info Red Sox vs. Tigers 7:05 pm Fenway Park Nesn WRKO-680 Matsuzaka http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/493137.jpg 4-2 4.80 Robertson http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/425146.jpg 3-2 3.43 Matsuzaka gets first taste of the Tigers Detroit (23-13) at Boston (25-11), 7:05 p.m. ET By Alex McPhillips / MLB.com Daisuke Matsuzaka has had his share of daunting assignments -- consecutive starts against the Yankees, near-immediate repeat appearances against Seattle and Toronto -- and the load won't get any easier on Monday at Fenway. This time the American League champs come to town. The Detroit Tigers have sprinted to the top of the AL Central, bringing one of the league's best run-producing offenses along for the ride. This, with below-average contributions from a prized offseason acquisition, former Yankee Gary Sheffield. The Tigers' new designated hitter has an OPS of .799 in the early going of 2007, a dropoff not just from his career mark of .921 but from his 15-year low of .806 last season. Sheffield has picked it up in May, slugging four home runs while batting .342. Meanwhile, one of the Majors' best double-play combinations, Placido Polanco and Carlos Guillen, as well as outfielders Magglio Ordonez and Curtis Granderson, have been pulling their weight. The Tigers have scored 194 runs this season, more than any team in baseball not named the Yankees or Red Sox. "It's as good as any ballclub that's in the American League right now," said Red Sox pitcher Kyle Snyder. The Tigers have roared to the top of a ferocious division that includes 2006 AL Central champion Minnesota and 2007 contender Cleveland. Snyder, himself a veteran of the Central -- he was drafted by Kansas City and pitched there from 2003 until he was acquired by Boston last season -- has observed from close range Detroit's recent transformation. "I've seen that team go from being a 119-loss ballclub to really as good as any team or as talented as any team in the American League," he said, adding that it's "definitely a different feeling" when they come to town now, as opposed to even three years ago. For Matsuzaka, who has started seven times against four teams, it should certainly be a new kind of experience. Pitching matchup DET: LHP Nate Robertson (3-2, 3.43 ERA) The Mariners reached Robertson for six earned runs in his last start, his worst of the season. The begoggled lefty, a fifth-round draft pick of the Florida Marlins in 1999, has a 6.75 ERA against the Red Sox in 29 1/3 career innings and an 8.49 ERA at Fenway Park. BOS: RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (4-2, 4.80 ERA) Matsuzaka, who has pitched far better on the road, will be looking for his first signature gem at Fenway Park. In his best home start, on April 11, he allowed three earned runs in seven innings, but Mariners phenom Felix Hernandez stole the show with a one-hitter. Since then, Matsuzaka has been touched for 13 runs in 12 innings at Fenway. Player to watch Former Indian and current Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp has a lengthy history with Robertson, against whom he has two home runs and seven hits in just 25 at-bats. On the Internet MLB.TV Gameday Audio • Gameday • Official game notes On television • NESN On radio • WRKO-680 AM, Spanish Baseball Network Up next • Tuesday: Red Sox (Tim Wakefield, 4-3, 1.79) vs. Tigers (Justin Verlander, 3-1, 2.83), 7:05 p.m. ET • Wednesday: Red Sox (Julian Tavarez, 1-4, 6.60) vs. Tigers (Mike Maroth, 3-0, 4.69), 7:05 p.m. ET • Thursday: Red Sox (Curt Schilling, 4-1, 3.63) vs. Tigers (Chad Durbin, 3-1, 5.08), 7:05 p.m. ET Let the Manny Mojo roll! http://www.thesportstruth.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/manny-points.jpg

Gom is a pathetic fan. I still rooted hard for the sox in 04, when we were 10 games back. I don't think the Yankees are done, it will be hard for them if the sox pitching continues to dominate.

I say with an 8 game lead, have him miss two starts, just to make sure it is 100% healed. No sense risking this being a season long problem.

I wonder If Clemens can void his contract if the Yankees are too far behind when he enters the rotation.

That is also a concern of mine. Let's hope this goes away.

If Becketts finger is not serious then I think the Sox will win the east. I don't think we will run away with it, but with good pitching and a very good offense 8 games in front is a lot, but we shall see.

Score?

Tito said on his post game press conference that it was cut skin, not a blister which is supposedly better. Tito thought Beckett might be able to make his next start. What a frigging win! These are games that you aren't suppose to win in the MLB. That was so crazy, I have never really seen anything like that. 25-11, and the mojo lives!

I know this is way to early, but this is the only chance I can do this before tommorows game. Got to keep the Manny mojo rolling! http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/277417.jpg Beckett 7-0 2.51 http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/425386.jpg Guthrie 2-1 4.64 http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/oct04/manny1026.jpg

Damn sea breeze

Drew goes yard here. or not.

I am feeling the Manny Mojo right about now!

I was at the only game Trachsel pitched at Fenway Park. It was like May 5th of 2000, and he out dueled Pedro to a 1-0 win. Pedro struck out 17, but the sox couldn't get anything going. Other than the loss, it was the most incredible game I have ever been to. That was the only time I have ever seen Pedro in person.

The Yankees lineup while potent is getting pretty old. Abreu, Giambi, and Damon are out or either leaving their prime. Arod has cooled significantly since his torrid start. I don't think the offense is going to quite as good as people expected. Don't get me wrong they will club the hell out of the ball, but it won't carry them without pitching.

With Trachsel pitching this is going to be a long game.

05/11/2007 11:30 PM ET Schilling gets the call Baltimore (18-18) at Boston (23-11), 1:05 p.m. ET By Alex McPhillips / MLB.com Curt Schilling was the center of controversy in the baseball world this week for his negative comments on Giants slugger Barry Bonds, but now the Red Sox right-hander will look to get back in the headlines for his actions on the field. Even after a shaky seventh inning in his last start, Schilling has a nice roll going. Last Sunday's 4-3 victory at Minnesota was Schilling's fifth quality start in six outings since his Opening Day loss to Kansas City. Schilling had a shutout working Sunday until the Twins scored three times in the seventh. The 40-year-old right-hander has a 4-1 record and a 3.28 ERA this season. He will have an extra day of rest heading into Saturday's outing. Fellow veteran Steve Trachsel, a long-time Chicago Cub and New York Met with 135 career wins, will get the call for the Orioles. Pitching matchup BOS: RHP Curt Schilling (4-1, 3.28 ERA) Schilling has had little trouble with Baltimore in 11 career starts, registering a 3.76 ERA and walking only 11 batters in 76 2/3 innings. No current Oriole has more than a single career home run against the Boston ace, and Melvin Mora has been especially hard-pressed to reach base. The Baltimore third baseman has only three singles in 25 career at-bats against Schilling and nine strikeouts. BAL: RHP Steve Trachsel (1-3, 3.70 ERA) One of the slowest-working pitchers in the game, Trachsel has made a successful career out of getting out of trouble. The 36-year-old right-hander has faced the Red Sox only one time in his long career -- on May 6, 2000, at Fenway Park as a member of the Blue Jays. He was dominant in that game, striking out 11 batters in nine shutout innings. Player to watch Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, who hit a solo home run off Schilling on April 25, has a .364 career average against Schilling in 22 career at-bats. On the Internet MLB.TV Gameday Audio • Gameday • Official game notes On television • NESN On radio • WRKO-680 AM, Spanish Baseball Network (Espanol) Up next • Sunday: Red Sox (RHP Josh Beckett, 7-0, 2.51) vs. Orioles (RHP Jeremy Guthrie, 2-1, 4.64), 2:05 p.m. ET • Monday: Red Sox (RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, 4-2, 4.80) vs. Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson, 3-2, 3.43), 7:05 p.m. ET • Tuesday: Red Sox (RHP Tim Wakefield, 4-3, 1.79) vs. Tigers (RHP Justin Verlander, 3-1, 2.83), 7:05 p.m. ET Let's get some Manny mojo going! I smell a couple of monster shots today.

Tough loss but I can stand losses with Tavarez on the hill, with the way the other 4 guys are pitching.

He has said that in ever AB since Millar went to Baltimore.

Will Clay get a cup of coffee this year?

Why is Snyder in for his second inning? He seems to go down hill in his second inning of relief. Is it just me or has Brendon Donelly been underused this year? I think this would have been a good spot for him, with the big bats coming up next inning.

He came up small in against Golden State, and the heat down the stretch last year. I watch the playoffs and stats aside he seems to struggle in big situations. I think that the award should have gone Nash again, with out him the suns are a very unorganized team. I think their record was like 3-8 without him this year.

What a f***ing waste of an inning.

This game has been frusterating to say the least. It would great sneak out a win in this one. Let's go Pedroia! Edit- or Cora

Damn that ball had base hit written all over it.

Wow, we are having s*** luck in this game. What a play by Tejada.