| 09 April 2009
Today's preview is going to be a cut-and-paste from MLB.com - real life has interviened. But if anyone wants to chat during the game - USE THE COMMENTS SECTION AS AN OPEN THREAD. Go Sox!
BOS: RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (18-3, 2.90 ERA in 2008)
Dice-K didn't win any contests for pitching artistry last year, but he got the job done. The Red Sox hope for more control and efficiency out of Matsuzaka this year, as he walked 94 batters in 167 2/3 innings. However, he led the Majors in opponents batting average, limiting them to .211. He was fifth in the AL with 8.27 strikeouts per nine innings. Matsuzaka is 17-7 with a 4.10 ERA in 30 career starts at Fenway. He is 2-3 with a 3.75 ERA in eight starts against the Rays.
TB: RHP Matt Garza (11-9, 3.70 ERA in 2008)
Garza has the best stuff on the Rays' staff, which he put on display while claiming MVP honors during last season's AL Championship Series -- particularly in Game 7 when he shut down the Red Sox to claim the win. At age 25, the right-hander seems to be maturing on the mound, where he has experienced problems controlling his emotions in the past. The one thing he has lacked is consistency, as he has been either lights-out or has struggled. He needs to better learn how to win when he doesn't have his best stuff. Garza is 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA in six career starts against the Red Sox; he is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts at Fenway Park.
Tidbits
Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is 6-for-13 lifetime against Garza. ... Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura has had plenty of success in the Major Leagues against countryman Matsuzaka, hitting .375 in 24 at-bats. ... This is the fourth consecutive year that Boston has split its first two games. ... Kevin Youkilis, traditionally a fast starter, is 5-for-8.
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