After loosing to the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday 4-0 in game one of the two's three game series, the Boston Red Sox will look to fight back and take game two. James Shields recorded one of his best outings against Boston in his career, throwing nine shutout innings and only giving up five hits at Tropicana Field. Let's see if the Sox can bounce back today.
On the mound for Boston will be right hander Josh Beckett, who will be looking for win number five on the season. Beckett's last outing came against the Yankees on June 9, when he recorded another stellar outing--pitching seven strong innings while only giving up two earned runs. While he has yet to pitch against the Rays this year, Beckett is a career 7-4 with a 3.43 ERA against Tampa in his career.
Opposing him will be young right hander Jeremy Hellickson, who will be looking for win number eight on the season. Hellickson's last outing came on June 10 against the Orioles, when he pitched five and two thirds innings, giving up five earned runs on seven total hits in an eventual loss. Hellickson is a career 1-0 with a 6.43 ERA in two career appearances against Boston.
The Red Sox lineup will return to normal tonight as Jed Lowrie is slotted in at shortstop, batting seventh. Lowrie had been sidelined for a few days with a sore shoulder and had been replaced by Marco Scutaro. J.D. Drew will be in the lineup, with the right handed Hellickson pitching. Because it is a Josh Beckett day, Jason Varitek will be behind the plate, batting ninth. Here is the rest of the lineup:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Carl Crawford, LF
7. Jed Lowrie, SS
8. J.D. Drew, RF
9. Jason Varitek, C
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Go Sox and Bruins! We want the Cup!