A's @ Red Sox Preview

Red Sox bats showed up a little too late last night, and there could be similar troubles tonight with Brandon McCarthy going against Daniel Bard. McCarthy is only 1-3, but you can't really hold that against him. He has only had one game where he let up more than 2 runs and has pitched more than 6 innings in 4 of his 6 starts (3.23 ERA).

Daniel Bard is 2-2 with a 3.72 and is looking for his 3rd straight win (one of them as an RP). Last time out Bard went 7 strong innings against the White Sox allowing only 2 runs and striking out 6. The key in that game was his control (walked 1), if he can find his control he is a very good pitcher. This is an A's lineup that he should dominate.

The Red Sox are at the bottom of the AL East this late in a season for the first time in 16 years, but it could be a lot worse. They have been playing better, and battling through injuries. If Bard can come out tonight and give a similar performance as he did against the White Sox I think the Red Sox win easily. McCarthy is tough, but he has had a hard time against the Red Sox in his career (0-3 with an 8.83 ERA in six games).

Red Sox win 6-3
Player of the Game: Bard
Game starts 7:10pm

Red Sox Lineup:

Aviles, SS
Sweeney, RF
Pedroia, 2B
Gonzalez, 1B
Ortiz, DH
Ross, LF
Saltalamacchia, C
Middlebrooks, 3B
Byrd, CF