Redsox head south to Tampa

[Bon Bon]

3 game series versus the Rays starting tonight down in Tampa and this series is going to be huge.


Game 1: Masterson vs. Shields: Lets see if there will be anymore bad blood as James Shields take the hill. Shields has had a pretty good start to the season posting a 5-5 record with a 3.76 ERA and he also was impressive in his last start versus Florida getting the win. Masterson continues to pitch pretty well as a rookie posting a 4-1 record with a 3.43 ERA.

Game 2: Wakefield vs. Garza: Tim Wakefield has pitched at least into the 7th inning in his last 6 starts. He has posted a 5-5 record with a 3.88 ERA to this point. Let's hope his knuckler will confuse someof the young Rays hitters. Matt Garza has pitched well since starting the season injured. He pitched a complete game in his last versus Florida getting the win. He has a record of 6-4 with a 3.76 ERA.

Game 3: Matsuzaka vs. Kazmir: Dice-K pitched much better getting the win in his last outing, but needs to go deeper into the game as this is his third start coming off the D.L. He still has been very impressive throughout the season with a 9-1 record and a 3.21 ERA. Scott Kazmir is with a doubt on of the most impressive starters in all of the majors leagues. He has the ability to dominant anytime he takes the mound. He has a 7-3 record with a very low ERA of 2.28.

My Outlook: I have to be honest and say I am quite nervous about this series. The Redsox have not been very impressive on the road as there offense seems to be doormat on the road. I am hoping that the young hitters of the Rays will wilt under the pressure of such a huge series as now the Rays have taken a half game lead in the A.L. East and they are being chased. There will be no sweep in this series, but I am hoping that the Sox can take at least two of the games inTampa.

[Bon Bon]

3-1 Rays

[Kingdom]

needs to be another knock down brawl

[Bon Bon]

4-1 Tampa. Ugh

[Kingdom]

Go go Gadget James Shields victory!

[love_that_reefer]

Rays pull it off and win 5-4 and sit a game and a half up on the Saux.

[Bon Bon]

We really need these next two and I don't know if it is going to happen.

[Bon Bon]

Redsox leave a ton of men in scoring position and don't back up a good pitching performance by Tim wakefield and what does that lead to another lose. They are now 2 1/2 games out of 1st.

[Bon Bon]

After losing the first two games of the series the Redsox really need to take this one from the Ryas although it is going to be extremely hard with Scott Kazmire on the mound. Should be a great match-up tonight on ESPN. Dice K vs. Kazmir.

[Bon Bon]

So far 1-1 in the 2nd inning. Dice K needs to stop the walking batters or his night may be short one.

[bwitty24]

WHO IS DUSTIN PEDROIA?!?!?!?!

Hitting .600 off Kazmir, good thing DICE K sucks though (this thread pollution is brought to you by yours truly, bwitty24)

Let's go RAYS!!

[bwitty24]

Possible cyclage here btw.

[Bon Bon]

3-1 Redsox


Dustin Pedroia a single away from hitting for the cycle.

[bwitty24]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...Scott Kazmir with the wild pitch or passed ball

4-1

[Bon Bon]

Wild pitch by Kazmir. He is not his self tonight. 4-1 Redsox