A couple weeks ago, the Red Sox were a game and a half up on the New York Yankees, with the Yankees coming to Boston for a three game series. They lost the first game in disappointing fashion- losing 5-2, but leaving a depressing 16 runners on base. The offense picked up in the second game, as they won 9-5. They lost the third game, and when the Red Sox were hosting the Rangers, they only had a half game lead. The lost the series against the Rangers as well, winning only one. Then they headed to Toronto for a four game series, hoping to regroup and take over the Yankees for the division lead. They lost the first game, and it went into the 11th inning, when Brett Lawrie hit a game winning home run off of Dan Wheeler. Not only did they lose the game, but Josh Beckett also left in the 4th inning with a sprained ankle, and he is supposed to miss his next start. The bats came alive in game two, and they won 14-0, but the Yankees also won, meaning they were still 2 1/2 back. The bullpen (mainly Daniel Bard) then uncharacteristically imploded in the third game, costing Tim Wakefield his 200th win and the game. Andrew Miller, who I believe is not the answer as a starter, didn't pitch well at all in the third game, as they lost 7-4. They were then 2 1/2 games back of the Yankees. Here's the scary part- they were only 6 1/5 games up on the Rays then. And they were traveling to Tampa for a 3 game series, the first game starting last night. John Lackey pitched, and he (hopefully) didn't blame anyone for the performance he had last night- giving up 5 runs in the 7-2 loss.
Red Sox Injuries:
- Clay Buchholz (lower back)
- Erik Bedard (Lat muscle)
- Josh Beckett (ankle)
- Kevin Youkilis (hip)
- J.D. Drew (shoulder)
- Bobby Jenks (back)
Obviously, the Red Sox are battered and bruised up. Youkilis has already missed a month due to injuries, and just his MRI revealed hip bursitis. Beckett seems to leave a game every fourth or fifth start to some injury, and will miss his next start. Bedard is always injury prone, Buchholz was a huge blow when it was determined he had a lower back stress fracture. Jenks has missed more than half the season due to injuries. It pains me to say it, but I wish J.D. Drew would come back right now to man right field. The Red Sox need someone to step up. Luckily for them, the Yankees have also lost three straight, meaning that they could be around 4 or 5 1/2 games back rather than 2 1/2 games back.
Yankees- 6-4 last 10 games, lost last three games- Face the Angles tonight (9:05) (Sabathia starts vs Haren)
Red Sox- 3-7 last 10 games, 3-8 last 11, lost last three games- Face the Rays tonight (7:05) (Weiland starts)
Rays- 6-4 last 10 games, won last two games- Face the Red Sox tonight (7:05) (Hellickson starts)
The Yankee game today will be a great matchup featuring Angles second Ace (first Ace- Weaver) Dan Haren. Yankee all star C.C. Sabathia will take the mound against him. The Yankees have been struggling a little bit, but maintain a slim lead over the Red Sox, who are starting rookie pitcher, Kyle Weiland, against Rays rookie Jeremy Hellickson. Hellickson is 12-10 on the year, with a 2.90 ERA. Hellickson is a legitimate rookie of the year candidate, and if he can beat the Red Sox tonight, the Red Sox will be only 4 1/2 games up on the Rays in the WC race.
source- redsox.com
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