Game Preview: Orioles @ Sox GM1

Daniel Cabrera (5-2, 3.98; 1-0, 3.21 vs. BOS in '08)
vs. Josh Beckett (6-4, 4.07; 0-1, 5.40 vs. BAL in '08)
Gm 1 of 3 6:05 @ Fenway Park

Tonight (or should I say 'this evening? thanks, Celtics!) these two AL East foes will renew their "rivalry" as the two staff aces will face off again for the second time in less than two weeks.

In that outing on May 30th in Baltimore both starters pitched well, with Beckett (6IP, 4H, 2ER, 3BB, 10K) barely having the better performance over a surprisingly solid Cabrera (7IP, 6H, 2ER, 2BB, 2K), but the outcome wasn't decided until long after the starters had exited the ballgame.

Stellar lengthy outings by both bullpens were wasted when Baltimore's defense crumbled in the 13th inning as they committed three costly errors, leading to three unearned runs and a 5-2 Boston victory.

This time hopefully the game will end a lot sooner so the nation can watch the Celtics go up 3-0 on the L.A. Fakers in the NBA Finals; in other words no extra innings or benches-clearing brawls allowed.

After a rough stretch where Beckett allowed 30 hits including 7 homers and 16 earned runs over 27 2/3 innings, the near Cy Young winning form of 2007 has returned. Over his last three starts Becks has surrendered just 18 hits (2 homers) and 5 earned runs over 19 innings, walking just 3 batters while striking out 24, although he's just 1-1 with an ND to show for his efforts.

But a vet like him knows that as long as he keeps the ball in the yard and men off the bases, the Boston offense will eventually score enough runs early to get him a win.

Cabrera has long been an enigma for Baltimore management and fans, but this season the former wild child has turned into a more controlled man. Gone is the hairtrigger temper and erratic outings filled with as many walks as strikes, in is an even- keeled pitcher who has walked 2 batters or less in 7 of his 12 starts this season.

Still the lanky righty has not fared well in his career against Boston, posting a 2-9 record with a 6.82 ERA against the Sox in 13 starts including 0-3, 8.41 at Fenway.

Boston should get the services of Jacoby Ellsbury back tonight, and the speedsters presence plus the blazing bats of Manny Ramirez and JD Drew should combine to give Beckett all the support he'll need to get the win and start the series off right.

And if they can get it over with by 9:00PM EST, that would be much appreciated as well.

GO SOX & GO CELTS!

BEAT LA! BEAT LA! BEAT LA!