Red Sox weekly preview: May 20-27



Ryan MacLeod
Contributing Writer
This last week was a turn around week for the Red Sox, they needed a boost after the awful week that had previously and they needed to quickly turn the losing streak around before it spiraled out of control. They did just that going 5-1 this week, with their only loss being in their first game against the Tampa Bay Rays. They now continue their road trip with a 3 game series against the other Sox, and then come home for a 6 game home stand with the first 4 games being against the Cleveland Indians.
Monday: Jon Lester vs. Dylan Axelrod
Lester is looking to improve to 7-0 on the year, and had another dominant performance in his last outing. He pitched 7 innings giving up only 2 runs. Axelrod is 1-3 on the year and just earned his first win in his last outing, allowing 3 runs in 5.1 innings. The game starts at 8:10 and is on NESN.
Tuesday: Felix Doubront vs Jose Quintana
Doubront still hasn't had that one start that will get his season moving in the right direction. Currently he is 3-1 but has an ERA of 6.04 Quintana has not had a win in the last month but has a record of 2-1. His ERA is 3.97. The game is a 8:10 start time on NESN.
Wednesday: Clay Buchholz vs Chris Sale
On paper this looks like a great pitching matchup, Buchholz is looking to improve to 7-0 and Sale is looking to continue his 23 inning consecutive scoreless streak. Buchholz has not had run support lately and has thrown 3 consecutive no decisions. Sale is 4-0 in his last 5 starts and struck out 12 in his last start. The game is at 8:10 on NESN.
Thursday: TBA vs TBA
The Red Sox return home and this will be the return of Terry Francona, the beloved "Tito". Neither team has announced their starters. The game is scheduled for 7:10 on NESN and the MLB Network.
Friday: TBA vs TBA
Again neither team has announced their starters for this game but I am going to assume that John Lackey will get the ball for the Red Sox. Its another 7:10 start on NESN.
Saturday: TBA vs TBA
Lester should get the ball here, pending all goes well in his start Monday night. The game is an afternoon start 1:35 and is on NESN.
Sunday: TBA vs TBA
Again the decision will be pending the performance of Tuesday night but expect Doubront to get the ball here. The Sox finish off the weekend series with another 1:35 game on NESN.