Red Sox Road Ahead: Week 20
20 Weeks.
20 weeks later and most of Red Sox Nation is already looking towards football season. 20 weeks later and Jacoby Ellsbury is back on the DL with only 18 games played so far this year. 20 weeks later and I saw the Sox lose to the Rangers this past Friday despite hitting five home runs.
But alas we must carry on and look forward, not backwards. So let’s take a look at what is up for the Sox this week.
Schedule
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, August 17 vs Angels 7:10 PM
Wednesday, August 18 vs Angels 7:10 PM
Thursday, August 19 vs Angels 7:10 PM (also on MLBN)
Friday, August 20 vs Blue Jays 7:10 PM
Saturday, August 21 vs Blue Jays 7:10 PM
Sunday, August 22 vs Blue Jays 1:35 PM
Los Angeles Angels TV: FS-W
Toronto TV: SNET
Opponents In-Depth
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
AP Photo/Alex Gallardo
60-59
2nd in AL West (8 GB)
Probable Line-Up
Bobby Abreu, LF
Erick Aybar, SS
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Torii Hunter, RF
Hideki Matsui, DH
Howard Kendrick, 2B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jeff Mathis, C
Peter Bourjos, CF
Injuries
Joel Pineiro, SP (Oblique) 15-day DL. Out until at least mid-September
Rich Thompson, RP (Shoulder) 15-day DL. Out until at least early September
Kendry Morales, 1B (Ankle) 15-day DL. Out for the season
Jason Bulger, RP (Shoulder) 15-day DL. On Triple-A rehab assignment
Brian Stokes, RP (Shoulder) 15-day DL. On Triple-A rehab assignment
Chris Pettit, CF (Shoulder) 60-day DL. Out for the season
Pitching Match-Ups
8/17: Buchholz vs. Haren
Best match of the series. Haren is an Ace but is trying to buck his history of second half slumps and isn’t getting a whole lot of run support from the Angels.
8/18: Lackey vs. Weaver
Lackey faces his former team and an unlikely ace in Jeff Weaver.
8/19: Beckett vs. Kazmir
Beckett is still looking for his mojo while Kazmir is a Red Sox killer. This won’t end well.
Who’s Hot
Bobby Abreu: .370 BA past 14 days
Who’s Not
Jeff Mathis: .100 BA past 14 days
Toronto Blue Jays
Reuters Photo
63-55
4th in AL East (9 GB)
Probable Line-Up
Fred Lewis, LF
Yunel Escobar, SS
Jose Bautista, 3B
Vernon Wells, CF
Adam Lind, DH
Aaron Hill, 2B
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Travis Snider, RF
Jose Molina, C
Injuries
John Buck, C (Thumb) 15-day DL. Expected to begin Double-A rehab assignment Aug. 16
David Purcey, SP (Ankle) 15-day DL. Out until at least early September
Dirk Hayhurst, RP (Shoulder) 60-day DL. Out for the season
Jesse Litsch, SP (Hip) 15-day DL. Out for the season
Dustin McGowan, SP (Shoulder) 60-day DL. Out for the season
Pitching Match-Ups
8/20: Lester vs. Cecil
Battle of the lefties!
8/21: Matsuzaka vs. Romero
Romero is putting together a pretty solid season while Matsuzaka is putting together a house of cards that represents his season.
8/22: Buchholz vs. Marcum
What a week for Buchholz after facing Haren in LA he’ll have to face Toronto’s ace to end the week.
Who’s Hot
Adam Lind: .425 BA/3 HR past 14 days
Who’s Not
Fred Lewis: .152 BA past 14 days
My Outlook
I have a really bad feeling about the pitching LA has to offer. I say it’s a 3-3 split.
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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