After defeating the Orioles in three straight contests, the Boston Red Sox look to complete a four-game sweep of Baltimore and go into the All-Star Break on a six game winning streak. The worst the Red Sox can do today is be in a first-place tie with the Yankees a top of the AL East. With Jon Lester on the disabled list, the Red Sox decided to pull Sunday's starter from the minor leagues.
Pitching for the Red Sox today will be right-hander Kyle Weiland, who will be making his major league debut today with Boston. In AAA Pawtucket, Weiland has had a very solid season, going 8-6 with a 3.00 ERA to this point. Weiland does have a 9.6 strikeouts per nine ratio, so we could see a fair amount of strikeouts this afternoon.
Opposing Weiland will be young right-hander Mitch Atkins, who will be making his second start of the season for the Orioles. Atikins only start of the year came on July 5 against the Rangers, where he went six innings, giving up only one earned run on eight hits. Atkins has never faced the Red Sox in his career.
With a right hander on the mound, the Red Sox will once again go lefty-heavy in the lineup. Josh Reddick and J.D. Drew will be in the lineup today, batting sixth and eighth, respectively. Jason Varitek will be behind the plate catching Weiland, batting seventh. Here is the full lineup:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Josh Reddick, LF
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. J.D. Drew, RF
9. Marco Scutaro, SS
Weiland will be making his ML debut, so no stats to this point
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Go Sox! Here's to a strong first half!