Wow I haven't done one of these things in a while... it's been a loooooong offseason. Anyhoodles, let's get to it!
4-13-09
Lester vs Braden
So Lester is trying to bounce back from his last start in which he allowed eight hits and five runs in five innings against the Rays. Last year, he was very inconsistent while on the road, with a 5-5 record and a 4.09 ERA. Braden pitched well in his first start against the Halos, allowing only three runs in six innings, but he couldn't keep up with Saunders, who shut us out.
4-14-09
Matsuzaka vs Eveland
Dice-K is too looking to rebound after his last start, where he struggled with his control and allowed three homers to the Rays. Eveland (who is apparently the "most experienced" of all the pitchers on our staff), gave up three runs on eight hits in his '09 debut against the Halos. Last time he faced the Sox, it was very ugly - just two innings with nine runs allowed. Yikes.
4-15-09
Wakefield vs Anderson
Wakefield had an iffy start his last time out, but he was able to keep the damage limited (only three runs allowed despite walking 5 over 6 innings). Lifetime, he's 9-6 with a 4.17 ERA against us, but at McAffee that ERA rises to 6.00. Anderson was killed by one poor inning in his last start against the M's, where he allowed five runs on just as many hits in the second inning. He bounced back nicely, but our offense just couldn't catch up.
We most definitely have our work cut out for ourselves. We were swept at home by the M's, a team who was more or less on our level, and now we've got to face the Sox. Joy. IMO, we're only as good as our pitchers are, so if they can keep us in the game, then I think we might have a chance to win a few (or at least one). I'll be at all three games, so let's hope for an exciting series!