Royals @ Red Sox

The Rondo Show · Post #1 » by **The Rondo Show** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:30 am

Gabbard/Bannister; 7:05 PM EST.
Wakefield/TBA; 7:05 PM EST.
Tavarez/Od. Perez; PM EST.

Yeah, we've got our worst starters going but I want a sweep anyways.

Post #2 » by **sunshinekids99** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:24 pm

A sweep sure would be nice.

Post #3 » by **wetsthebed** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:05 am

Gabbard's a pimp.

Post #4 » by **sunshinekids99** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:10 am

I'm not sold on the guy at all, but a very nice outing against a AAA level team.

Boston's Future · Post #5 » by **Boston's Future** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:12 pm

Boston (56-37) vs. Kansas City (40-53)
7:05 p.m. ET
TV: NESN Radio: WEEI 850 AM
By Alex McPhillips / MLB.com

On Wednesday, the Red Sox will look to close out a series that began with Kason Gabbard's first professional shutout.
Gabbard will not face the Royals again in this series, but his fate may ultimately come down to games like Wednesday's. Julian Tavarez will get the start against the Royals, and fans will be watching to see if the Red Sox's fifth starter can break a run of subpar performances.

Tavarez has not won since June 20 in Atlanta. The Red Sox have lost four straight Tavarez starts.

His No. 5 rotation slot may be up for grabs when Curt Schilling returns to the team around the beginning of August. Gabbard would stand to benefit if Tavarez continues to falter.

Tavarez has a 5.76 ERA against the Royals in 25 career innings. His scheduled opponent, veteran lefty Odalis Perez, hasn't won since June 18, exactly one month ago.

Pitching matchup

BOS: RHP Julian Tavarez (5-7, 5.15 ERA)
Tavarez's season has been one of periodic stretches of competence -- his 3.66 ERA in May and June were critical to a Red Sox team that began to struggle offensively -- marred by trouble in April and July. Despite starting the month by allowing one earned run to the Texas Rangers in 5 2/3 innings, Tavarez has an 8.16 ERA in three July starts.

KC: LHP Odalis Perez (4-8, 5.68 ERA)
Unlike Tavarez, Perez has struggled the entire season, allowing 130 hits in 101 1/3 innings. He has started four times against the Red Sox in his career, allowing 11 earned runs in 24 1/3 innings.

Boston's Future · Post #6 » by **Boston's Future** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:13 pm

After losing to a pitcher who made his major league debut against us, I'm pretty pissed right now at the Sox. If we can't win this game, we won't win the the divison

Post #7 » by **sunshinekids99** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:48 am

Alright it was nice while it lasted, but it is time for Tavarez to be moved to the pen.

Boston's Future · Post #8 » by **Boston's Future** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:35 am

Agreed. Tavarez was a career reliever. Eventually everyone knew that it had to end. I'm surprised that he reached the All Star break as a starter.

Boston's Future · Post #9 » by **Boston's Future** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:45 pm

We lost two strait games to a kid making his major league debut and Odalis Perez. WTF

Post #10 » by **sunshinekids99** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:12 pm

He wasn't making his major league debut, he was making his season debut.