After defeating the Kansas City Royals in their past two games, the Boston Red Sox look to clinch the series victory in the fourth and final game of the two teams' series. Entering play, the Red Sox have a four game lead in the AL East over the Yankees. New York is off today so the Sox have a chance to pick up another half game.
Josh Beckett will be given the task of clinching the series for the Red Sox. In his last start against Seattle, Beckett pitched seven strong innings while only surrendering one earned run and fanned seven Mariner hitters. In his career against the Royals, Beckett is a perfect 6-0 with a 2.26 ERA.
Opposing Beckett will be the right-handed Luke Hochevar, who will be looking for win number seven on the season. In his last start, Hochevar picked up a win in Tampa Bay after pitching five and a third innings after giving up four earned runs. The Red Sox have had his number though as he is a career 1-3 with a 7.94 ERA against them. Here is the lineup he will have to face:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Josh Reddick, RF
7. Drew Sutton, LF
8. Jason Varitek, C
9. Yamaico Navarro, SS
Carl Crawford will once again be out of the lineup as it was revealed he has a strained left elbow according to the team. With Drew Sutton in his place today, Crawford will likely be in tomorrow's lineup against the White Sox. Navarro continues to get a lot of playing time, as he will be spelling Marco Scutaro today at short. Once again, a very solid 1-6 today for the Sox, but a lacking bottom of the order. But we got by Yesterday, so let's see what happens this afternoon.
Go Sox!