Game Preview: Cleveland @ Sox GM3

Byrd (5-1, 3.81) vs. Matsuzaka (7-2, 4.43)
7P Fenway Park ESPN HD

The Sox will try for a second consecutive series sweep tonight when red-hot Dice-K takes the mound opposite Cleveland journeyman Paul Byrd.

Byrd has won three consecutive starts and has stepped up big to fill the void created when Jake Westbrook went on the DL May 7th. If the Indians wanted one man on the mound to try and get one game here, Byrd would be...their second choice, behind C.C. Sabathia.

But since Boston will miss the 7-1 Cleveland ace they will have to solve the softballs of the crafty vet Byrd.

Dice-K will be shooting for his 7th straight win, although many of those victories have been, let's say, fortunate. As in, he's fortunate that he is second in the majors in run support/9 innings (8.46), behind teammate Josh Beckett.

Last time out, Friday in Texas, Matsuzaka was cruising through the first four innings before a stomach virus and the Rangers hitters caught up to him for a 5-run 5th inning; Boston would put double digits on the board in a 10-6 victory and Dice won his 7th game of the year.

Papi should be back in the lineup after a three game absence and with Dice on the mound, an enthusiastic crowd and feeling that the team is invincible right now, there's no reason the Sox can't head into the Stankee series with a six game winning streak and monstrous division lead.

Well, the've already got the latter taken care of.

Sweep Sox Sweep!