Boston Red Sox (50-34) @ Tampa Bay Rays (49-32) GAME NOTES: With another one run loss to Astros and the Rays winning a close series in Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay has overtaken the Red Sox for first place. Perfect time for the Rays and Sox to meet up in a vital late June-early July series. The Sox have to deal with Tampa's best three starters, beginning tonight with James Shields, who threw a complete game shutout against Boston at the Trop earlier in the year. At 5-5 with a 3.76 ERA, he's slowed down a bit. Another very tough test for the young Justin Masterson tonight.
Prev. Gm:
Justin Masterson (4-1, 3.43) @ James Shields (5-5, 3.76)
7:05 PM EDT | Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, FL)
TV: NESN RADIO: WRKO 680, SBN 1150
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Here’s No.101, but both my dogs are mutts. Masterson will be a star. Coming straight from AA, he’s already exceeded Hughes & Kennedy expections. But he needs AAA the way Buchholz did, and for the same reason, to develop his skills. Another game like that will ruin him. Buchholz has been pitching like the Pawtucket stud. He is more prepared for this than Justin. Why not bring him on for the Yankees. If he still isn’t ready, bring up Charlie Zinc, and mystify the Yanks two days in a row, which might be fun to watch.
The last few series shows it really is time time for a few minor changes. I agree with Daniel that moving Jacoby out of the leadoff spot for awhile might give him a chance to get things together. Alot of his games have been 1 for 5 or 1 for 6, which hurts his average and confidence.
And it’s time to trade for a good-gagne now, and bring up Lowrie. They will not only combine for a dozen wins more than what Julio and this pen will deliver, but we will be able to celebrate 1st place by this 4th of July; and stay there.
sorry, anonymous was me, but you can probably tell by the length of it anyway.