Red Sox weekly preview: April 29-May5
After a long home stand the Boston Red Sox have a day of travel before they play 6 straight days on the road. The team performed excellently this past week winning 6 of their 7 games they played, including a sweep of the Houston Astros. This week will be slightly more difficult, going north of the border to Toronto and then traveling to Texas to face the Rangers.
Monday:
Monday is a day of much needed rest for the Red Sox. They will use this day to travel to Toronto and get settled before they start their series on Tuesday.
Tuesday:
In the first game of the series against Toronto the Red Sox will hand the ball to Jon Lester. Lester has been fantastic this season, he currently has a record of 4-0. Lester pitched against Toronto on April 7th where he shut down the Blue Jays offense, pitching 7 shutout innings of baseball. Toronto will give the ball to Brandon Morrow who is currently 0-2 with a 5.27 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 and will be televised on NESN.
Wednesday:
Buchholz vs Buehrle sounds like a great pitching match-up but the tables are currently in Bostons favor. Buchholz currently has won every game he has started and has a 1.19 ERA. He is holding opposing hitters to a .192 batting average. Buehrle on the other hand is 1-1 with a 6.35 ERA. In 3 of his last 5 starts he has not gone more than 5 1/3 innings. The game is another 7:07 start on NESN.
Thursday:
In the final game of the series in Toronto the Red Sox give the ball to Ryan Dempster. Dempster has never pitched in the Rogers Center but recently picked up his first win of the season to improve to 1-2. Toronto has not yet announced their pitcher for this game. The game starts at 7:07 and is in NESN.
Friday:
The Red Sox travel to Texas on Friday, a place where they have not played their best baseball in past seasons. The team has not announced their starter but it is expected that Felix Doubront will get the ball for Boston. Texas has announced Derek Holland as their starter for this game. Holland is currently 1-2 in 5 starts and has a 3.38 ERA. The game will start at 8:05 and is on NESN and MLB Network.
Saturday:
For Saturdays match-up neither team has announced their starters. After John Lackeys performance today it is expected that he will start the game for the Red Sox. Lackey just came off the DL but pitched well today. The game is at 8:05 and is on NESN.
Sunday:
The final game of the series in Texas before the Red Sox come home will be an afternoon start. Neither team has announced their starters but the Red Sox should have Jon Lester on the mound. The game will be at 3:05 and will be on NESN.