After winning by a final score of 3-2 against the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday, the Boston Red Sox look will look to defeat their division rivals a second straight night in the rubber game of the series. Tuesday, we got a great start from Jon Lester before he left due to injury. With Lester being placed on the DL earlier today, we are going to get some extra help from our other pitchers, especially this guy.
Tim Wakefield will be on the mound for Boston tonight at Fenway Park, going for win number five on the season. Wakefield had a somewhat bad outing against the Astros in his last outing. He lasted five and a third innings while giving up five earned runs on 11 hits to one of the worst offenses in the majors. Wake is a career 17-14 with a 3.87 ERA against Toronto.
The Blue Jays will counter with their ace, left-hander Ricky Romero for the series clinching game. Romero last pitched on July 1 against the Phillies, where he pitched six and third innings, giving up two earned runs on just four hits. Romero may currently have a low ERA (2.75), but he has a career 7.69 ERA with a 2-5 record against the Red Sox.
The Red Sox lineup will be without their All-Star first baseman for the first time, as Adrian Gonzalez will sit out tonight's game for simple rest. Kevin Youkilis, who will be making his return to the lineup, will be over at first base this evening, batting fifth. Dustin Pedroia will slide into Gonzalez's three spot in the lineup, with David Ortiz behind him. Here is the full lineup:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Marco Scutaro, SS
3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
6. J.D. Drew, RF
7. Darnell McDonald, LF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
9. Yamaico Navarro, 3B
T.V.: NESN
Radio: WEEI 850 AM
Go Sox!