Red Sox: A Look at The Week Ahead

The Red Sox are behind Texas one game in the Wild Card and 7 games back from the Yankees in the AL East.

This week is crucial for the Sox, They face Toronto and go back to Boston against the Yankees. They need to redeem themselves and fast.

Tuesday, August 18th:

Josh Beckett (14-4, 3.10 ERA) vs. Ricky Romero (10-5, 3.70 ERA)

Beckett leads the MLB with 14 wins and on his way to getting the Cy Young this year. Rick Romero has gone 7-1 with a 3.41 in his past 10 starts. He has a record of 0-2 against the Red Sox.

Wednesday, August 19th

Clay Buchholz (1-3, 4.75 ERA) vs. Roy Halladay (13-5, 2.65 ERA)

Buchholz has had some bad luck in his last few starts but he keeps showing improvement after every outing. Halladay has only had one start against Boston which was a complete game back in July.

Thursday, August 20th

Jon Lester (9-7, 3.71 ERA) vs. Brett Cecil (5-1, 4.35 ERA)

 Lester gave up three earned runs in six innings and had 11 Ks.  Lester is 3-3 with a 3.33 ERA over 51 innings over 8 outings angainst the Jays in his career. Cecil is getting his first start after experiencing knee pain August 8th against the Baltimore Orioles.

Friday, August 21st

**This is the last series against the Yankees at Fenway for the season.

Andy Pettite (9-6, 4.09 ERA) vs. Brad Penny (7-7, 5.22 ERA)

Pettite lost his control last Friday against Seattle. In his last start against Boston he was scoreless through seven but got the no decision. Penny is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA over 11 innings in two starts against the Yankees.

Saturday, August 22nd

A.J. Burnett (1-6, 3.69 ERA) vs. Junichi Tazawa (1-2, 5.40 ERA)

Burnett threw a complete game Monday night, However he gave up three runs after throwing 3 wild pitches and forgot to check the runner. Burnett is winless in his last four starts with two losses. He was perfect in his last start in Boston  on Aug. 7. Holding Boston to one hit in 7 2/3 innings. The Yankees won, 2-0. 

Tazawa allowed four earned runs over 5 innings against the Rangers on Sunday night. He threw 97 pitches with 54 strikes and 43 balls. He allowed 10 hits and three walks. In his Major League debut against the Yankees, He allowed  two earned runs. He is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA as a starter. He has a 1.80 ERA over five innings at home.

The Sox have a day game against the Yanks on the 23rd to finish off the week. The Red Sox need to regain the Wild Card lead and gain some ground on the Yankees if they ever have a shot at winning the division which seems unlikely at this point.