MANNYHOF24

Red Sox @ Rangers 8:05 EST TV: NESN Radio: WRKO Starting Pitchers Boston http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/123118.jpg Tavarez 0-0 0.00 Texas http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/mlb/119154.jpg Millwood 0-1 5.40 Tavarez gets the call Boston (2-2) at Texas (1-3), 8:05 p.m. ET By Ian Browne / MLB.com Blessed with a rubber arm, Julian Tavarez has been used in every kind of pitching role during his career. If he could make the choice, he'd never stop what he's doing right now. Tavarez, thanks to Jonathan Papelbon moving back to the bullpen in late March, is starting again. This gives Tavarez a chance to pick up right where he left off last year, when he went 3-0 with a 4.01 ERA in six September starts. Tavarez makes his 2007 debut on Saturday night in Texas. "When I came to be a starter, I knew what day I was going to pitch, so I was more prepared," said Tavarez. "I had five or six days to get ready. I was ready for that day I was going to pitch, and I think that's why things turned around for me because I was more prepared." Whether it was animatedly interacting with his fielders or working at a crisp pace, there was no mystery last September how much fun Tavarez was having. He hopes to resume it Saturday and beyond. "I hope he gives us five, six, seven, eight good ones like he usually does," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. Tavarez, Boston's No. 5 starter, will be opposed by Rangers ace Kevin Millwood. "I've always been thinking I wanted to be a starter since I started my career in 1992," said Tavarez. "I was a starter in the Minor Leagues also. I was a starter in the Major Leagues, then they made the decision for me to be a reliever. I think this is one of the reasons I've been in the Major Leagues for 12 years already is because of things I've been available to do. If you leave it to me, I'd say I want to be a starter." When Tavarez starts against the Rangers, he'll be going against the team he earned his first Major League win against way back on Aug. 14, 1993, as a rookie for the Cleveland Guardians. Pitching matchup BOS: RHP Julian Tavarez (5-4, 4.47 ERA in 2006) Tavarez excelled last September when he moved into the starting rotation, going 3-0 with a 4.01 ERA. Of Tavarez's 700 career appearances, 85 have been starts. Tavarez pitched a complete-game victory over the Blue Jays on Sept. 22, leading the Red Sox to a 7-1 win. Tavarez is 2-3 with a 5.86 ERA against the Rangers in 19 career appearances. TEX: RHP Kevin Millwood (0-1, 5.40 ERA) The Rangers are skipping their fifth starter because of off-days so Millwood and the others can pitch on their normal five days' rest. Millwood is 3-3 with a 4.12 ERA in nine career starts against the Red Sox. He was 7-7 with a 5.38 ERA at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington last year, but was 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA in his final seven starts. Five of those seven were quality starts. Player to watch Sox slugger David Ortiz might be racing to the bat rack on Saturday night. He is 5-for-9 with three homers and seven RBIs lifetime against Millwood. Ortiz is also due for a breakout after going 2-for-15 in his first four games. It's time for so Manny Mojo! He needs a couple of jacks tonight to get our offense going. http://www.hhweb.com/photos/ws2004/04WSGame4RamirezMVP_small.jpg

This thread should be made a "sticky" so it can be seen without having to be bumped constantly.

No Gonzo was injured for awhile last year that made him miss some time. That along with notoriety was why Jeter won the gold glove.

It's time for some Manny mojo tommorow!

What a horrible game. We have a pathetic offense right now, and it starts with Ortiz not hitting right now.

Drew with a feble swing and a miss.

Good start; Manny singles sharply to right field.

Snyder has looked very good so far, I wonder who gets cut once Timlin comes back?

The defense has looked sharp today other than the Pedroia error, nice diving catch by Lugo.

This game is over, the way they looked today there is no chance that they can muster two runs in the 9th inning, if thats all they need.

Ortiz looks absolutely powerless.

Ortiz with a chance to tie now. Let's see if the pitch to him, or take their chances with Manny.

Lugo walks, Let's see if Youk can get something going for Ortiz and Manny.

Dear God, what the hell is wrong with our Offense. Remy just made a good point about pedroia, he doesn't cut down on his swing with two outs.

Really nice catch by Manny there. Let's get some runs please. Maybe that will energize them.

No, not even in ST really.

What is the point of leaving Mirabelli at the plate. Give Willy Mo a chance, I mean we did trade 200 innings a year for him; let him do something.

This game is going to be under 2:30 minutes. This has been a poor display of offense today.

Wow, this is insanly bad.

This is where I pinch hit Willy Mo, if they are planning to take Wake out of the game.

A pitchers duel between Wake and Tejeda, never would have expected that.

This is pathetic, we are letting guys like Meche, Grienke, and Tejeda shut us down. Does anybody want to do Helton for Delcarmen, Hansen, Lowell?