Game preview: Cleveland @ Sox GM2: Return of Josh

Sowers (1-4, 6.29) vs. Beckett (7-0, 2.66)
7P Fenway Park

Josh Beckett, the ace of the Sox staff and the winningest pitcher (percentage-wise) in the major leagues, returns to the mound tonight after a stint on the 15-day DL to resolve a recurring finger injury.

Whether you prefer to call it a torn flap of skin, blister or an avulsion, one thing is for sure regarding the high-strung 26-year-old righty, the middle digit of his pitching hand has become a major pain in the ass.

For the seventh time in his six plus major league seasons a similar problem to the same finger has landed Beckett on the DL. Sometimes when he returned he was fine and continued to pitch without incident that season. But other times-like in 2004 when he made 3 trips to the DL including one for 24 days-the nagging nature of the problem has caused him to miss considerable time.

All parties concerned have stated that this time the finger has healed very well and Beckett and the medical staff don't believe it will crop up again this season, said the sailor to the blind man...
All we can do is hold our breath and hope that Josh can continue his All-Star caliber season and lead the Sox to the postseason with all his digits intact.

To make room for Beckett, Manny Delcarmen was shipped back to the PawSox.

Opposing Beckett and attempting to ignore the tidal wave of emotion that will be coursing through the park tonight is Cleveland starter Jeremy Sowers. The 24-year-old in his second season with Cleveland has made 23 career starts and compiled an 8-8 record with a 4.53 ERA.

This season Sowers has been up (coming off a 7 inning, 1 run win over KC last Thurs) & down (three consecutive losses where he allowed at least 6 ERs), but the task at hand for him tonight could be too much for the young lefty to take.

Especially if Youk hits another inside-the-parker!

Look for the good times to keep rolling for Boston as the Sox get Beckett win #8.
MY PICK: SOX BIG! (arms & legs crossed on mini-Wally)