After dropping two of three games to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on track and reclaim their A.L. East lead as they open up highly anticipated three-game series with the best team in the N.L., the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Tuesday night, we will get to see probably the best pitching matchup we've seen all year.
Starting for the Red Sox tonight will be Josh Beckett, who will be looking for win number seven on the season. Beckett hasn't pitched since June 15 against the Rays, where he turned in his best performance so far this season of nine shutout innings of one-hit ball. We will see if Beckett is totally over his flu, as this game is all about the pitcher.
The Phillies will send out left-hander Cliff Lee, who will look to continue his perfect June and gun for win number nine on the season. Since starting off slow, Lee has been a perfect 4-0 with an ERA below one and has struck out 24 batters in those starts. The Red Sox are quite familiar with Cliff Lee (having pitched for the Indians, Mariners, and Rangers) and have had decent success against him. Lee is a lifetime 2-4 with a 4.06 ERA against Boston.
As Ben alluded to earlier, tonight's lineup features our good ole' pals Darnell McDonald and Mike Cameron, who will be playing the corner outfield, McDonald hitting fifth and Cameron hitting seventh. With it being the fourth straight game without a DH, it doesn't look like Francona is willing to use Adrian Gonzalez in right field. With Beckett on the mound, Jason Varitek will be behind the plate, batting sixth. Runs will likely be hard to come by for both teams tonight.
T.V.: NESN, MLB Network
Radio: WEEI 850 AM
Go Sox!