| 08 April 2009
Two of the best southpaws in the American League square off today at 7 PM.
Red Sox Starter: Jon Lester
Rays Starter: Scott Kazmir
Jon Lester was just as nasty of Josh Beckett this spring... so lets hope he'll be just as good as Beckett was in his first outing of 2009. Lester posted a 1.83 ERA over 6 starts this spring and fanned 20 batters - a team high. Lester may have surprised a few hitter in 2008, since it was his first full season in the bigs, but after winning 16 games last year, Lester knows he needs to mix things up in 2009. That's why he's been working on his change-up this pring in an effort to keep hitters honest, so look for that pitch to be featured when he faces the Rays' big guns like Pena, Burrell and Longoria.
Lester has never lost to the Rays and is 4-0 with a 3.38 ERA in 7 starts against the defending AL East champs. Lester was also near untouchable at Fenway park in 2008, posting an 11-1, 2.49 ERA, .240 BAA line
Scott Kazmir typically gives the Red Sox trouble, posting a 2.78 ERA in six 2007 starts and a 2.33 ERA and a whopping 33 strikeouts in four 2006 starts... but Kaz struggled against Boston ins 2008, going 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in four starts against the Sox. But Kazmir admitted that he was a "two-pitch" pitcher in 2008 after returning from injury:
"Pretty much the whole year I was a two-pitch pitcher," said Kazmir, who noted he had success at the beginning of the season due to exceptional location. "It's tough to face these Major League hitters with just two pitches. They know what they're doing. They watch my video and they can adjust as much as they can. So it's nice to have that third pitch in there. [It] feels like an equalizer."
The equalizer is his slider and a healthy Kazmir with a full arsonel could spell trouble for the Sox. After watching their ace, Jame Shields, struggle in the opener, the Rsays will be looking to even the score tonight.
Notes: Ex-Ray and Rhode Island native Rocco Baldelli is expected to start aginst the lefty Kazmir tonight... Dustin Pedroia is 14 for 25 (.560) against Kazmir in his career... Carlos Pena (who K-ed FOUR times yesterday) is 5 for 16 wioth two homers agains Lester.
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