Red Sox @ Indians Series (July 23 - July 26)
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 4:16 pm
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
Lose feared slugger David Ortiz because of a strained left shoulder and what happens? The Red Sox win four games in a row and score 34 runs in the process.
The Red Sox will try to run their streak to five on Tuesday night when Daisuke Matsuzaka faces C.C. Sabathia. Big Papi will again be out of the lineup, though he might return Wednesday night.
"We're just going to put David on the bench and just start killing the ball," quipped Sox third baseman Mike Lowell. "It starts from the top. [Julio] Lugo got hot. Coco [Crisp's] been on fire. When those guys get hot, it puts the guys in the middle of the lineup in real good position to do some damage."
Matsuzaka might be able to use the support. The righty has hit a bit of a rut in his last three starts, giving up 13 runs and 22 hits over 16 innings. Perhaps the challenge of facing a potent offense, not to mention one of the best pitchers in the American League, will rejuvenate him.
Matsuzaka will be countered by an All-Star left-hander in Sabathia.
This won't be the first time Matsuzaka has faced a pitcher with a lofty reputation. In June, Matsuzaka went against future Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux. He went 1-1 in those matchups, but pitched well enough to win both times.
Pitching matchup
BOS: RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (11-7, 3.99 ERA)
On the heels of a brilliant six-start stretch, Matsuzaka has struggled over his past three starts. He's been unable to go more than six innings in any of the outings, giving up 13 runs and 22 hits over 16 frames. In his last start, he went five-plus innings and walked six while allowing three runs in a loss to the White Sox. This is Matsuzaka's second start against the Indians, but first at Jacobs Field. On May 30 at Fenway, the Indians belted Matsuzaka around for 12 hits and six runs over 5 2/3 innings.
CLE: LHP C.C. Sabathia (13-4, 3.81 ERA)
Sabathia gave up four runs (three earned) in six innings Thursday against the Rangers in Arlington, pitching just well enough to end a two-start losing streak. He will be facing Boston for the first time this season, and he is 2-3 with a 4.35 ERA in six career starts against the Red Sox.
