Game Preview: Sox @ Cleveland GM4

Gabbard (4-0, 2.97) vs. Lee (5-7, 5.95)
Jacobs Field 705

Currently there is rain soaking the greater Cleveland area and the game will be delayed for god knows how long, but hopefully this game will get underway tonight.

I mean I really want them to play this one, because I have tix to Sunday's game at the Trop and my son & I were looking forward to watching Dice-K pitch, up close & personal like from third base box seats.

But of course Motherfucking Nature has to screw with my happiness and throw one of life's annoying little curveballs my way yet again.

Okay, enough bellyaching and on to my game preview, assuming there IS a game to preview.

The Sox will attempt to put the bitter memories of last night's heartbreaking 1-0 loss behind them tonight in the series finale with the Indians, and right now there may be no better pitcher on the staff to accomplish such a feat.

Kason Gabbard has emerged as one of the most promising young pitchers in the league, lefty or righty, as his perfect record and sparkling ERA attest to. In his last two starts the 25-year-old lefty has allowed just six hits and one earned run while walking two and striking out nine in 16 innings of work.

Since his 6-hit, 4-run, 6-walk debacle in Seattle on June 26th, Gabbard is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA, and he's walked just eight while fanning 17 in 28 innings. In other words, he's smokin' hot right now.

His mound opponent is hot right now, too--as in he's steaming mad at his teammates and himself over some of his recent performances.

Not only has Cliff Lee been atrocious on the mound of late--23 hits and 19 earned runs allowed in his last three starts covering 16 innings (10.69ERA)--but after giving up five earned runs in the first inning of his last start at Texas on Saturday, he and catcher Victor Martinez got into a confrontation on the field over his play.

Nice.

Oh yeah, he also beaned Sammy Sosa in the head in that game, too.

Let's just say control issues might be a problem with this guy.

So IF this game gets underway it looks on paper like a Red Sox win, especially since the last two games have gone according to form.

Let's hope this one follows suit--providing they play ball at all at the Jake tonight.

Go Sox!

**UPDATE: The game is indeed on, 45 minutes after the original start time. Who cares--it's Dice-K for me & my boy on Sunday!!**