Red Sox (74-50) @ Devil Rays (47-76)
3-game series @ Tropicana Field
AL East: Sox up 4 on NYY, 26.5 on TB
Season Series: Sox lead, 7-2
Probable Pitching Matchups:
GM1 Mon 710 Wakefield (14-10, 4.55) vs. Kazmir (9-7, 3.44)
GM2 Tue 710 Lester (1-0, 5.14) vs. Sonnanstine (2-8, 6.17)
GM3 Wed 710 Matsuzaka (13-9, 3.79) vs. Jackson (3-12, 5.69)
Keep an Eye On: Tim Wakefield 18-2 (8-0 @ TB), 2.83 ERA career vs. Rays
The phenomenon that is Tim the time bender Wakefield will attempt to extend two freaky streaks tonight at the Trop: his uncanny domination of the Devil Rays franchise, especially in their dome, and his incredible run of earning a decision in every start this season, a feat that hasn't been matched since 1936.
3-game series @ Tropicana Field
AL East: Sox up 4 on NYY, 26.5 on TB
Season Series: Sox lead, 7-2
Probable Pitching Matchups:
GM1 Mon 710 Wakefield (14-10, 4.55) vs. Kazmir (9-7, 3.44)
GM2 Tue 710 Lester (1-0, 5.14) vs. Sonnanstine (2-8, 6.17)
GM3 Wed 710 Matsuzaka (13-9, 3.79) vs. Jackson (3-12, 5.69)
Keep an Eye On: Tim Wakefield 18-2 (8-0 @ TB), 2.83 ERA career vs. Rays
The phenomenon that is Tim the time bender Wakefield will attempt to extend two freaky streaks tonight at the Trop: his uncanny domination of the Devil Rays franchise, especially in their dome, and his incredible run of earning a decision in every start this season, a feat that hasn't been matched since 1936.
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A sad image from the last Sox game I went to at the Trop: the final time Kason Gabbard was seen in a Sox uni; he was traded the next day for you know who
Preview
After waiting until after the All Star break to meet for the first time this season and with Boston not visiting the cozy, cement-filled confines of Tropicana Field until three weeks ago, all of a sudden it seems like these division rivals are squaring off on a weekly basis.
Not like that's a bad thing for Boston, which routinely beats up on its little AL East brethren, especially when Tim Wakefield takes the mound.
But with repetition comes recognition, and ever since the Sox first swept the Rays in a three-game set at Fenway on the 4th of July, Tampa Bay has made each successive meeting much more difficult for Boston to breeze through.
After cruising through the first four games with the Rays, outscoring them 33-11, Tampa Bay has struck back with a vengeance.
In the last five matchups Boston has still held the scoring advantage, but that 24-18 mark is skewed by the 6-run 12th Boston laid on them in a come-from-behind win on July 29th.
I had the misfortune of attending the following game, in which Dice-K and Kazmir went toe-to-toe for 7 innings before Matsuzaka surrendered a solo homer to Dioner Navarro and Manny D. imploded by allowing two more longballs in the inning to propel Tampa bay to its first win over the Sox this season.
I know, just my luck.
Boston took two close contests last week at home, 3-0 and 2-1, before the Rays ruined the potential sweep when Andy Sonnanstine out pitched Matsuzaka and Tampa Bay scored 5 runs in the final three innings to steal the win, 6-5.
Bottom line is these guys are ready to play, and with the Boston offense sporadic at best, the bullpen in somewhat of disarray and a supposed "sure thing" on the mound tonight, don't be surprised if this series doesn't go the way it ought to, i.e. another sweep.
Unfortunately I won't be able to attend any of the games because tonight and tomorrow is a local holiday here in the Bay--the first day of school!
That's right our fucked up school systems in Pinellas & Hillsborough counties have the kiddies returning to their learning emporiums BEFORE Labor Day, an odd fact I got over about 12 years ago, but one I come to appreciate more & more as I advance in fatherhood (especially working from home!)
So I will have to tune in on TV like everyone else, and like the rest of the Nation I will be hoping & pulling for a sweet Sox sweep.
Just don't be surprised if things turn ugly under the Teflon sky.
After waiting until after the All Star break to meet for the first time this season and with Boston not visiting the cozy, cement-filled confines of Tropicana Field until three weeks ago, all of a sudden it seems like these division rivals are squaring off on a weekly basis.
Not like that's a bad thing for Boston, which routinely beats up on its little AL East brethren, especially when Tim Wakefield takes the mound.
But with repetition comes recognition, and ever since the Sox first swept the Rays in a three-game set at Fenway on the 4th of July, Tampa Bay has made each successive meeting much more difficult for Boston to breeze through.
After cruising through the first four games with the Rays, outscoring them 33-11, Tampa Bay has struck back with a vengeance.
In the last five matchups Boston has still held the scoring advantage, but that 24-18 mark is skewed by the 6-run 12th Boston laid on them in a come-from-behind win on July 29th.
I had the misfortune of attending the following game, in which Dice-K and Kazmir went toe-to-toe for 7 innings before Matsuzaka surrendered a solo homer to Dioner Navarro and Manny D. imploded by allowing two more longballs in the inning to propel Tampa bay to its first win over the Sox this season.
I know, just my luck.
Boston took two close contests last week at home, 3-0 and 2-1, before the Rays ruined the potential sweep when Andy Sonnanstine out pitched Matsuzaka and Tampa Bay scored 5 runs in the final three innings to steal the win, 6-5.
Bottom line is these guys are ready to play, and with the Boston offense sporadic at best, the bullpen in somewhat of disarray and a supposed "sure thing" on the mound tonight, don't be surprised if this series doesn't go the way it ought to, i.e. another sweep.
Unfortunately I won't be able to attend any of the games because tonight and tomorrow is a local holiday here in the Bay--the first day of school!
That's right our fucked up school systems in Pinellas & Hillsborough counties have the kiddies returning to their learning emporiums BEFORE Labor Day, an odd fact I got over about 12 years ago, but one I come to appreciate more & more as I advance in fatherhood (especially working from home!)
So I will have to tune in on TV like everyone else, and like the rest of the Nation I will be hoping & pulling for a sweet Sox sweep.
Just don't be surprised if things turn ugly under the Teflon sky.
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