Game preview: Tampa Bay @ Sox GM3

J.P. Howell (1-2, 5.19) vs. Josh Beckett (11-2, 3.38)
Fenway Park 7:05

The Sox will go for the sweep tonight against the reeling D-Rays, losers of 10 in a row and showing absolutely no signs of coming out of that tailspin in this series.

Don't expect much improvement tonight, either, as the Rays will have to face a motivated and mentally strong Josh Beckett, who is coming off a rough outing against Texas where he allowed 10 hits and five runs in five innings of an 11-2 Rangers win.

At stake tonight will be more than just win #12, which would tie him with the Indian's C.C. Sabathia for the ML lead, but a victory will very likely put Beckett in the starter's role in the All Star game on Tuesday, a pitcher's dream come true and an exciting offshoot of his spectacular first half.

Opposing Beckett will be the young lefty J.P. Howell, who has shown flashes of brilliance since his callup over a month ago, but has also been plagued by bouts of wildness on occasion as well.

But what do you expect, he is a rookie.

Although he has struck out 34 batters in his last six starts, he has also allowed 20 earned runs over 35.2 innings during that time, so it's either all or nothing for this kid.

All signs point towards a Sox sweep and an All Star start for Beckett.

As long as nothing really fucked up happens, like the Rays suddenly figure out how to stop this slide into the abyss they are currently undergoing.

Go Sox!
Sweep! Sweep! Sweep!