After defeating the Kansas City Royals yesterday 13-9, the Boston Red Sox look to build another winning streak as they battle the Royals once again this evening at Fenway Park.
On the mound for the Red Sox this evening will be John Lackey, who will look to pick up win number nine on the season. In his last outing, Lackey threw seven strong innings against the Mariners where he only gave up one earned run on eight hits. Lackey has won three straight decisions, and will look to continue doing so against the Royals. He's a career 2-3 with a 3.21 ERA against Kansas City.
Opposing Lackey will be the well traveled left-hander Bruce Chen, who will be looking for win number six on the year. In his last outing, Chen threw eight innings of one run ball against the White Sox while only four hits to them. In his career, Chen is 3-5 with a 4.62 ERA. Here is the right-handed heavy lineup Chen will have to deal with this evening: (It's not pretty)
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
7. Marco Scutaro, SS
8. Darnell McDonald, RF
9. Yamaico Navarro, LF
The Red Sox will be without Carl Crawford and Josh Reddick this evening as Francona has elected to go with the two right handed hitters. We seem to be solid from one to possibly even six, but Marco Scutaro hitting seventh isn't exactly what I had in mind. Oh well.
Go Sox!