Game 1: Felix Hernandez, (8-3, 2.54) @ Tim Wakefield, (10-3, 4.18) Scouting Report: Mariners: Hernandez returns to the scene of one of his best career starts -- a one-hitter against the Red Sox at Fenway Park three years ago -- on a big-time roll. The ace right-hander has surrendered five earned runs in his past 53 innings, striking out 51 over that span. His two-seam fastball has been his bread-and-butter pitch, and rookie catcher Rob Johnson has not been shy about calling for it. Red Sox: Wakefield has been a rock for the Red Sox all season. His last start, a 1-0 victory over the Braves, was one of his best. He threw six shutout innings, allowing three hits. Wakefield has 10 quality starts and has held opponents to a .255 average. Wakefield has been strong at Fenway this season, going 6-0 with a 3.55 ERA in seven starts. This is his first start this season against Seattle. Lifetime against the Mariners, Wakefield is 4-9 with a 4.06 ERA. Game 2: Garrett Olson, (3-2, 4.81) @ Brad Penny, (6-3, 4.79) Scouting Report: Mariners: The first four innings of Olson's last start were about as good as it gets. Olson held the Dodgers to one hit and no runs, and only one runner reached second base. But the fifth inning was more difficult for the journeyman lefty, who surrendered three hits and two runs, the first via a home run that was the 11th circuit clout he has allowed this season. Even so, Olson did his job and handed a two-run lead over to the bullpen. Olson has an 0-3 career record and an 8.82 ERA in three appearances at Fenway Park. There is a chance, though, that lefty Erik Bedard, sidelined since June 7 with left shoulder inflammation, might get the start instead of Olson. Red Sox: The big right-hander has been a rock for the Red Sox of late, giving up three earned runs or fewer in seven of his past eight starts. Penny gave up two runs over six innings in his last start, a 2-1 loss to the Braves. Despite his 1-2 record, June was Penny's best month of the season, as evidenced by his 3.18 ERA. In seven starts at Fenway Park, Penny is 4-1 with a 4.66 ERA. Penny lost his only career start to the Mariners, giving up 10 hits and five runs over six innings. Game 3: Brandon Morrow, (0-3, 5.14) @ Jon Lester, (7-6, 4.35) Scouting Report: Mariners: When the right-hander learns to harness his control, the conversion from reliever to starter could be a lot smoother road. His five walks against the Yankees in his last start hiked his pitch count to 98 in 4 2/3 innings and he was removed from the game before qualifying for his first victory. The good news is that his stamina is at the point where he can reach the 100-pitch level, but he still needs to get quicker outs. Otherwise, he'll have difficulty reaching the six-inning mark. Red Sox: Though Lester got his 2009 season off to an inconsistent start, he comes off arguably his best outing of the year, in which he allowed just five hits over seven shutout innings, striking out eight without walking a batter against Baltimore on Monday. Especially impressive was the action on his breaking pitch, which has gained tightness and depth since doing extra work with pitching coach John Farrell. He seems to have turned the corner and has allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of his past six starts. _________________________________________________________________ This series is probably going to come down to the second game, as the pitching favors Seattle in the first game and the Sox in the third, while the second is pretty even. Hopefully the Sox can make it 8 straight series wins.
Well honestly I expected to lose last night because they were facing Hernandez. But once they tied it it was very disappointing not to pull it out. Luckily the Yankees get Halladay today and the Sox have a pretty even pitching matchup.
This offense has been absolutely pathetic lately. Pedroia, Youk, and Bay are all going through their worst stretches of the season right now. They need a break bad. And now we're about to get swept by a AA team at home. I know the team is 4th in runs scored and has a solid lineup, but they really should get another bat. I'm thinking Bowden and Saito plus maybe another low-level raw toolsy guy should be good enough to get some kind of decent power bat. I'm honestly not that up on who's available and could fit that role, other thank hearing that Martinez probably isn't at a reasonable price. But this team has a real chance to be special, and with an amazing pen and starting staff offense is really the only hole that needs to be filled.
