Kenshin Kawakami, (3-6, 4.54) @ Daisuke Matsuzaka, (1-4, 7.55) Scouting Report: Braves: The Braves' Japanese import is on a string of three straight no-decisions, hasn't won in four starts and has been victimized by poor run support. Atlanta has scored only 22 runs for him during 13 starts and the right-hander can be a little wild early. He isn't prone to allowing home runs -- a first-inning shot by Baltimore's Adam Jones in his last start Saturday was only the second he's surrendered in his past eight starts -- but Kawakami labored in his last outing, throwing 53 of his 104 pitches in the first two innings. He needs to throw first-pitch strikes and control the count to be successful. Red Sox: The right-hander's frustrating season continued last Saturday against the Phillies, when he was pounded for seven hits and four runs over four innings. Matsuzaka has some troubling numbers. He's given up 51 hits over 31 innings, and opponents are hitting .372 against him. Matsuzaka hasn't pitched six innings in any of his seven starts. He won his only previous start against the Braves, giving up nine hits and three runs over eight innings. Derek Lowe, (7-4, 4.08) @ Josh Beckett, (7-3, 4.15) Scouting Report: Braves: This should be an interesting homecoming for Lowe, who hasn't pitched in Boston since playing a key postseason role for the 2004 World Series champion Red Sox. Recognized as a big-game pitcher, the veteran sinkerballer will be looking to erase the disappointment he encountered on Sunday, when he allowed seven earned runs and lasted just 2 1/3 innings against the Orioles. He had been 6-2 with a 3.50 ERA in his previous nine starts. In the 46 starts he's made at Fenway Park since becoming a full-time starter in 2002, Lowe has gone 28-10 with a 3.20 ERA. Red Sox: Beckett's run of seven consecutive quality starts came to an abrupt end in his last outing in Philadelphia, where he was pounded for 11 hits and seven runs -- six earned -- over six innings. Beckett is 3-0 with a 3.55 ERA in six Fenway starts this season. Opponents are hitting .245 against him. Lifetime against the Braves, Beckett is 6-7 with a 2.45 ERA. Jair Jurrjens, RHP (5-5, 2.89) @ Tim Wakefield, (9-3, 4.39) Scouting Report: Braves: With a lengthy rain delay limiting him to two innings against the Red on Tuesday, Jurrjens should be well rested as he attempts to end his three-game losing streak. While going 0-3 with a 4.20 ERA in his past three starts, the 23-year-old right-hander has continued to be saddled with limited run support.The Braves have totaled 37 runs while he's still been on the mound during his 14 starts this year. Jurrjens has gone 2-0 with a 3.54 ERA during his four previous starts in day games this season. Red Sox: Wakefield continues to shine amidst the controversy surrounding the crowded Boston rotation. The 42-year-old knuckleballer picked up his ninth win of the season last Tuesday at Fenway Park, allowing two runs on six hits over six innings against the Marlins. A 13-game winner in Interleague Play, Wakefield is 3-4 lifetime against Atlanta with a 5.06 ERA in 13 appearances. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hopefully the Sox keep this little run going. Won the last 3 series, 11-4 in June so far. The Braves seem to have a pitching edge tonight and on Sunday, with a pretty even matchup for game 2.
They need to stop telling him to change shit and let him fucking pitch. I'll take 7 innings, 5 walks, 140 pitches and 2 runs over this any day.
I hope someone breaks his arm in the dugout. That way Masterson can just come in like he should and there will be no issues getting him on the DL.
I really hope we don't see Dice for another month or so. He needs to do on the DL and spend time in extended spring in Florida. The WBC has definitely screwed with him. Throwing playoff intensity pitches when a pitcher is usually just easing into things can do no good. They could conceivably still do a 6 man rotation by bringing Buchholz up. For now though it seems like Daisuke is giving this "problem" a pretty easy fix.
I think it has less to do with the WBC and more to do with the team trying to change who he is, much like they did with Buchholz last year. His walks are way down, he's just getting hit because he's in the strike zone too much. He's never going to be an efficient strike throwing machine so why bother trying to make him one? Just let him do his thing.
His BB/9 is only a little lower than it was last year. It's still higher than it was his rookie year. I think he just has no command at all, out of the strikezone and over the plate. I think he just can't nibble anymore. His velocity is also down. Something seems really off with him. It's not just a new, unsuccessful approach.
I'm going tonight. Should be a great game- Beckett's pitching and I'll get to see D-Lowe's return to Fenway. Just hoping it doesn't end up a total washout.
I wish I could have seen todays game. What a great job by Beckett and glad to hear Lowe got a great ovation.
I missed it too. Weddings need to stop. Glad they won and great to hear Lowe got a warm reception. I've always been a huge fan of his ever since he talked to me from the bullpen at Yankee Stadium once. Really nice guy and one of the best big game pitchers around.
What a weird game. It seemed like the entire game screwy things kept happening. A utility AAAA type hitter hitting an opposite field, 302 ft. walk-off that would have been a foul in any other park or even on a normal weather day seemed appropriate.
