Game Preview: Sox @ Seattle GM3`

Beckett (13-5, 3.41) vs. Batista (11-7, 4.23)
Safeco Field 4EST

The Sox will try to win two in a row at Safeco after ending a 9-game losing streak here last night while Josh Beckett attempts to become the majors' third 14-game winner.

But the task won't be an easy one. Beckett has never pitched at Safeco, and coming off two straight losses he will have to overcome his strong desire to get back on the winning track as well as the unfamiliarity of the venue in order to prevent a new Safco losing streak from starting.

Not to mention the fact that he will be opposed by Seattle's hottest hurler.

Miguel Batista will be going for a career-high in wins when he takes the mound this afternoon, and the 12-year vet has been unbeatable since the break.

In four starts since the All Star break Batista is 3-0 with a 2.91 ERA, allowing 22 hits and 9 earned runs with 18 strikeouts in 24.2 innings over that span.

His career high for wins, 11, was accomplished twice while he was with Arizona, in 2001 and 2006.

However with several Seattle hitters having little success against Beckett, including Ichiro, who is just 1-10 career vs. Josh and 5-31 vs. Boston this season, another win in latte land is not such a reach.

Boston will try and jump start Beckett's Cy Young campaign before heading down the coast to LA for Curt Schilling's re-debut tomorrow night against the Angles, and he should get plenty of help from hot-hitting Big Papi.

Ortiz has been on a tear the last few weeks, batting .357 (15-42) with 3 doubles, 3 homers, 7 RBIs and 12 runs scored in his last 10 games; he's had at least one hit in 18 of his last 19 games.

As long as Becks can keep Ichiro, the majors leading hitter, off the bases, contain speedy spark plug outfielder Adam Jones and keep pesky Yuniesky Betancourt from leaving the yard again, that 14th win should be there for the taking.

But no matter who wins, at least the game won't get over in the wee hours of the morning.