July 5 Game 1 Preview: Red Sox versus Baltimore

Boston, Ma- Jon Lester takes the mound for the Red Sox. He coming off gem against the Yankees, where he went 8 innings, only giving up 5 hits. As the summer sun heats up, so is Lester. He hasn't given up more than 5 hits in last three games pitches and has gone into 7th inning in each of last three games. Lester's 2.92 ERA is good for 9th in the American League.

Meanwhile, on the other side sits the Orioles' Miguel Gonzalez. At a record of 4-5 and an ERA of 4.56, Gonzalez has given up three or more runs in his last three outings and hasn't gone past the 5th inning in those games.

This series is an important one for Boston, as they sit 8 games out of first. Boston must take at least two out of three from the first place O's in order to climb back towards a .500 record. If Boston loses more ground after the series, Ben Cherington, Boston GM, may begin to sell off the pieces of this 2014 disaster.

David Ortiz is out of today's lineup because he is attending his daughter's graduation.

Here is the starting lineup for Boston:

1) Holt RF

2) Nava LF

3) Pedroia 2B

4) Napoli 1B

5) Pierzynski DH

6) Bogaerts 3B

7) Drew SS

8) Ross C

9) Bradley CF

Quick Info:

July 5
1:35 pm at Fenway Park

Jon Lester vs Miguel Gonzalez
Boston 38-47
Baltimore 46-39

Game 1 of 3 in the Series