After suffering their third straight loss yesterday, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on track as they face the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second game of their three game weekend series. Boston couldn't compile the timely hits on Friday, as they only managed one run in an eventual loss.
Looking to get the Sox back on track will be Tim Wakefield, who was moved up in the rotation after Josh Beckett was scratched. Wakefield will make his return to the Pittsburgh, where his major league career began in 1992. In his last start against Milwaukee, Wakefield pitched eight innings, giving up three earned runs on only three hits while walking one and striking out six. He will look to continue his success against National League teams this season, as he is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA.
The Pirates will counter with former Yankee prospect Jeff Karstens, who will be looking for win number five on the season. Karstens last pitched on June 19 against the Indians, where he pitched seven strong innings, giving up only one earned run on five hits while walking two and striking out four. In his time with New York, Karstens got hammered against Boston, as he is 0-1 with a 14.54 ERA in two starts.
After yesterday's offensive struggle, it comes as a relief that Terry Francona has tweaked the lineup. With the right hander Karstens on the mound, both J.D. Drew and Josh Reddick will be in the lineup tonight, replacing the likes of Darnell McDonald and Mike Cameron. Adrian Gonzalez will once again be playing first base, so David Ortiz will sit out again. Jarrod Saltalmacchia will be behind the plate tonight, batting sixth. All and all, a lot better lineup compared to Yesterday's. Here is the full lineup:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. J.D. Drew, RF
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
7. Josh Reddick, LF
8. Marco Scutaro, SS
9. Tim Wakefield, SP
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Go Sox!