Game 116: Jon Lester in the North Country

The Red Sox go for the sweep at Target Field tonight in the final game against the Twins this season. Nick Blackburn will have to play stopper against the ever productive Red Sox line up for the home team. Blackburn has struggled all season, particularly as of late.

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Ellsbury, J, CF

Scutaro, M, SS

Gonzalez, A, 1B

Youkilis, K, 3B

Ortiz, D, DH

Crawford, C, LF

Saltalamacchia, J, C

Reddick, J, RF

Aviles, M, 2B

Dustin Pedroia gets a night off, so you know he is happy. It's clearly a precaution as he will appear on the cover-that-shall-not-be-named this month. Keep him secret; keep him safe, Tito!

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Jon Lester will be on the hill for Boston. He had four walks in six innings in his last start, tying his season high. He will get help tonight as he faces a Twins team that walks less than any team in the American League. He does need much either, as he currently sits fifth on the K% leader boards.

Span, D, CF

Revere, B, RF

Mauer, J, C

Cuddyer, M, 1B

Thome, J, DH

Valencia, D, 3B

Young, D, LF

Plouffe, T, 2B

Nishioka, T, SS

Jim Thome is still chasing his 600^th; as of tonight he is two dingers away. It isn’t likely to happen tonight and I, for one, hope he can wait a bit longer.

It’s a clear night, a cool 60 degrees in Minnesota tonight, 5-10 mph winds from the Southwest…so…

Go Red Sox!