Game 52: Red Sox look to take it to the Braves at home

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Conor Frederick (@C_Frederick1016)
Contributing Writer

Rejoice, Red Sox Nation, for the Red Sox have won 2 straight. The Sox will look to continue that tonight as the 4 game series against the Atlanta Bay Braves shifts to Fenway. The Red Sox will honor the 10th anniversary of the 2004 championship before the game tonight

The Red Sox turn to John Lackey tonight (5-3, 3.58 ERA), who pitched 7 strong in hist last start against the Tampa Bay Rays, walking 1 and striking out 3. Lackey has probably been the most consistent pitcher for the Sox - in his last 3 starts, he's posted a 3.26 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 19.1 innings and a 1-1 record. Against Atlanta, he's only pitched 6.0 innings with a 3.00 ERA and 6 strikeouts, something he'll look to build on tonight.

The Sox will go up against Gavin Floyd (0-1, 2.49 ERA in 4 starts), who is coming off Tommy John surgery. He hasn't faced the struggles that pitchers coming off Tommy John Surgery sometimes face. Floyd has had Boston's number recently, with a 7-0 record with a 3.21 ERA in 56 innings pitched. The Sox will look to reverse that trend tonight with their resurgent offense (14 runs in the last 2 games against Atlanta).

Red Sox Lineup:
Holt 3B
Bogaerts SS
Pedroia 2B
Ortiz DH
Pierzynski C
Gomes LF
Sizemore RF
Nava 1B
Bradley Jr. CF
Lackey RHP


Stats and lineup from MLB.com