Red Sox Road Ahead: Week 14
(Patrick previews the week ahead for the Red Sox each and every week. Start your week off right and read everything you need to know for the games ahead.)
Note: Stats are accurate prior to Sunday’s games. Game times are EST and pitching match-ups are subject to change.
How was everybody’s 4th of July? For the Sox fireworks are going off as more players are hitting the DL. Last week I mentioned V-Mart and now Vartiek is sidelined as well. Luckily we brought back Kevin Cash to fill in the gaps- and looking at his stats that’s all he’s doing: just another warm body to catch pitches. Clay Buchholz has also hit the DL adding to a Who’s Who of injured players (Felix Doubront will be recalled to fill in his slot, making his 2nd MLB start.) I visited the depth chart over at the Red Sox’s webpage to get an idea of the DL situation:
It wasn’t good. Look the list can hard stay on the page!
So what’s ahead for our wounded warriors? Let’s cut straight to the chase in this week’s shortened edition of the preview.
Schedule and Opponents
Red Sox games are available over the radio on the WEEI Red Sox Radio Network and on NESN in the New England TV market (unless noted.)
Tuesday, July 6 @ Rays 7:10 PM (also on MLB Network)
Wednesday, July 7 @ Rays 7:10 PM
Friday, July 9 @ Blue Jays 7:07 PM
Saturday, July 10 @ Blue Jays 1:07 PM
Sunday, July 11 @ Blue Jays 1:07 PM
Tampa Bay TV: Sun Sports
Toronto TV: SNET
Pitching Match-Ups
Tuesday, July 6
Rays: Jeff Niemann, RHP (6-2, 2.80)
Doubront will return to Fenway Tuesday (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Last start: 7/1 @MIN: 6.2 IP/6 H/3 R/5 K/2 BB
Red Sox: Felix Doubront, RHP (1-0, 5.40)
Last start: 6/18 vs LAD: 5.0 IP/6 H/5 R/2 K/2 BB
Wednesday, July 7
Rays: David Price, LHP (11-4, 2.42)
Last start: 7/2 @ MIN: 8.0 IP/4 H/2 R/6 K/4 BB
Red Sox: Tim Wakefield, RHP (3-6, 4.96)
Last start: 7/2 vs BAL: 8.0 IP/7 H/2 R/4 K/1 BB
Friday, July 9
Blue Jays: Ricky Romero, LHP (6-5, 3.39)
Last start: 7/3 @ NYY: 2.2 IP/7 H/8 R/3 K /2 BB
Red Sox: Jon Lester, LHP (10-3, 2.76)
Last start: 7/3 vs BAL: 7.0 IP/5 H/1 R/7 K/1 BB
Saturday, July 10
Blue Jays: Brandon Morrow, RHP (5-6 4.69)
Last start: 7/4 @ NYY: 6.0 IP/9 H/5 R/7 K/1 BB
Red Sox: John Lackey, RHP (9-4, 4.40)
Last start: 7/4 vs BAL: 7.1 IP/8 H/4 R/7 K/1 BB
Sunday, July 11
Blue Jays: Jesse Litsch, RHP (0-3, 6.98)
Last start: 6/30 @ CLE: 6.0 IP/4 H/2 R/2 K/2 BB
Red Sox: Daisuke Matsuzaka, LHP (5-3, 4.50)
Dice-K gets another start this week in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
Last start: 6/30 vs TBR: 6.0 IP/4 H/3 R/7 K/4 BB
Opponents In-Depth
Tampa Bay Rays
48-33
3rd in AL East (2.0 GB)
Probable Line-Up
Ben Zobrist, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Willy Aybar, DH
Matt Joyce, RF
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
Carlos Pena, 1B
Jason Bartlett, SS
John Jaso/Kelly Shoppach, C
Last Week/Upcoming
Lost one out of two at Boston, won three out of four in Minnesota.
Injuries
J.P. Howell, RP (Shoulder) 15-day DL. Out for the season
Who’s Hot
Carl Crawford: .378 BA/5 SB the last two weeks
Who’s Not
Ben Zobrist: .147 BA last two weeks
Toronto Blue Jays
41-42
4th in AL East (10 GB)
Probable Line-Up
Fred Lewis, LF
Alex Gonzalez, SS
Jose Bautista, RF
Vernon Wells, CF
Adam Lind, DH
Aaron Hill, 2B
Lyle Overbay, 1B
John Buck, C
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B
Last Week/Upcoming
Lost three in Cleveland, last two out of three in New York. Will play three against Minnesota before Boston comes into town.
Injuries
Shaun Marcum, SP (Elbow) 15-day DL. Might return for July 20 start at Kansas City
Travis Snider, LF (Wrist) 15-day DL. On Class A rehab assignment
Dirk Hayhurst, RP (Shoulder) 60-day DL. Out for the season
Aaron Hill, 2B (Illness) Questionable for July 6-8 vs. Minnesota
Vernon Wells, CF (Illness) Questionable for July 6-8 series vs. Minnesota
Dustin McGowan, SP (Shoulder) 60-day DL. Out for the season
Who’s Hot
Jose Bautista: .283 BA/3 HR last two weeks
Who’s Not
Edwin Encarnacion: .125 BA last two weeks
My Outlook
3-3 split, we already lost the opener to the Rays- let’s just get to the All Star break.
How do you think the Sox are going to fare this week? Leave them in the comments or let Patrick know on Twitter: @dmbosstone
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[...] Just because I’m on the beach for a wedding doesn’t mean I can slack off on talking about the Sox. Of course things aren’t looking good for the Red Sox with all these injuries. 4 Sport Boston: Red Sox Road Ahead Week 14 [...]