| 30 July 2010
The Red Sox are back home for a 3-game set with the banged up Tigers.
Jon Lester (11-5, 2.92) gets the start tonight against Armando Galarraga (3-3, 4.43).
Lester had no-hitter stuff in his last start, fanning 13 total and carrying a no hitter into the 6th before Eric Patterson dropped a fly ball and messed with his mojo. Lester coughed up two runs after that and the Sox offense was in hibernation, so Lester took the loss. Overall, he's 5-3 with a 2.88 ERA and a 66/16 K/BB ratio since June 1st. Lester took a no decision when he faced Detroit earlier this year, after allowing 4 runs on 4 hits (2 HR) and 4 walks through 7 innings. He did fan 10 in that game, but the Tigers rank 18th with 692 Ks on the season and they're 4th in the majors with a .790 OPS vs LHP... so don't expect double digit Ks again.
Galarraga pitched 7 solid innings against the Blue Jays in his last outing. He allowed 3 runs on 6 hits (2 HR) and didn't walk anybody. Armando doesn't miss many bats (33 K in 69 IP) but he doesn't walk many batters either (18 total). The Sox should be able to get to him, but he was able to hold us to 1 run and 3 hits through 5+ way back on May 16th. The Tigers are second only to the Mariners with a 16-33 road record... and with Carlos Gullien and Magglio Ordonez on the DL and Austin Jackson hurting, it could be a tough series at the Fens for the Tigers.
Key Matchups
Austin Jackson is hitting .230 against lefties this year, but is hitting .326 in July and .370 in the past week. Miguel Cabrera (.348 this week) is always dangerous as well, but with no other big bats in the lineup, the Sox could just pitch around him.
Youk continues to carry the offense right now. He's hitting .375 this week and 3.22 at home. I also thing Big Papi (.292, 3 HR this week) is locked in right now, so look for some Pesky Pole shots this weekend.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
