July 7th @ Chicago (AL)

[MANNYHOF24]

Lester to open Windy City showdown
Boston (51-32) at Chicago (56-29), 8:35 p.m. ET
By Dawn Klemish / MLB.com

Tripped up by the Rays after a hot streak in the last half of June, the Red Sox will turn to lefty Jon Lester to start the team off on a good note against the World Series champion White Sox before heading into the All-Star break.
The three-game series in Chicago pits 2004 World Series champions Boston against the White Sox, who swept the Red Sox en route to the championship in 2005. Boston manager Terry Francona said despite the sweep, the game isn't all about redemption.

"I think [the sweep is] somewhat skewed though, because they won three in a row, but two of the games we felt like we were as much in charge of the game as they were," he said. "It's like sort of going back to the Yankees thing [in '04] -- we're one out away from getting swept, and next thing you know, we were reeling off eight in a row. It's probably somewhere in between. You certainly try to learn, but it's probably somewhere in between."

Lester has been surprisingly impressive in his rookie campaign, and he hasn't lost a game through his five starts as a Major Leaguer. In his last outing, Sunday at Florida, Lester limited the Marlins to two runs in five innings, but he earned a no-decision when Florida rallied after his exit and won, 3-2. He's not yet faced the White Sox, but he is showing a veteran's composure, allowing more than two runs just once in his career.

Keeping Lester's unscathed record intact, heading into the All-Star break on a positive note and erasing the recent memory of a nasty series in St. Petersburg are extra incentives for Boston to be on top of its game in Chicago, but Francona refused to buy into any theories -- except for the age-old idea that a team plays to win simply because that's what's expected.

"You know what, we want to win because we want to win," Francona said. "I know that they're a really good team and the break is coming. There's a ton of reasons to want to win.

"But they're a good team. It will be fun to play them, because they're such a good team."

Chicago will give the ball to Mark Buerhle, a lefty who lasted just five innings into his last start, against the Cubs, after allowing 11 runs (10 earned) on 13 hits. It was just the fourth time in 17 starts this season he'd allowed more than four earned runs and marked the third outing in 2006 in which he's worked less than six innings.

Buehrle is 5-1 at U.S. Cellular Field this year, and 4-2 with a 3.99 ERA in nine career games against the Red Sox.

Francona said Boston probably won't be using this series to show how it has progressed through the first half.

"I think I do shy away from that measuring stick thing just because, so far [in our series with the Rays], we're not measuring very well," Francona said before Thursday night's game against Tampa Bay. "I don't think that means we can't win. I think you measure the whole season, and little bits and pieces don't tell the whole story."

Pitching matchup
BOS: LHP Jon Lester (3-0, 3.08 ERA)
The rookie has a 2.45 ERA in two road starts this season.

CWS: LHP Mark Buerhle (9-5, 3.86 ERA)
Buehrle is 4-2 with a 3.99 ERA lifetime against Boston, including an 0-1 record with a 6.23 ERA in 2005.


Player to watch
Manny Ramirez is 8-for-14 (.444) against Buerhle, with a double, three homers, eight RBIs and six walks.


On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• NESN, ESPN

On radio
• WEEI 850 AM, WROL 950 AM (Espa?ol)

Up next
• Saturday: Red Sox (RHP Josh Beckett, 10-4, 4.59), at White Sox (RHP Freddy Garcia, 10-5, 4.72) 1:20 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Red Sox (RHP Curt Schilling, 10-3, 3.63) at White Sox (RHP Jose Contreras, 9-0, 3.31), 2:05 p.m. ET
• Monday-Wednesday: All-Star break

Let the Manny MoJo roll!

[schillingouttheks]

Hahah yeah! Let the Manny mojo go!

Great to see our best pitchers going. With that much needed offensive outbreak last week, I feel much better about traveling to Chicago. Let's take 2/3 and I'll be happy.

[jsinger121]

just win dammit

[schillingouttheks]

Just so our friends who aren't in the New England area know, this game will be on ESPN as well tonight.

I know it was in the above post, just sayin' it again.

[riverside sluggers]

Coco is in the midst of an 0 for 22 slump, Buehrle is the guy to help get him out of his funk

Mark Buehrle (9 games vs Boston, 4-2 record with a 3.99 ERA---Career at U.S. Cellular Field in 112 games, 51-25 record with a 3.51 ERA)
Kevin Youkilis, 1 for 1 (1.000 avg) Walk
Mark Loretta --
David Ortiz, 13 for 37 (.351 avg) 5 Doubles, HR, 5 RBIs, 3 Walks, 4 Ks
Manny Ramirez, 8 for 18 (.444 avg) Double, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs, 6 Walks, 3 Ks
Jason Varitek, 9 for 20 (.450 avg) 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 2 Walks
Mike Lowell --
Gabe Kapler, 6 for 26 (.231 avg) Double, RBI, 4 Ks
Coco Crisp, 10 for 26 (.385 avg) Double, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, Walk, 4 Ks
Alex Gonzalez --
///
Trot Nixon, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) K

Jon Lester (1st career appearance vs Chicago)

EDIT: Sorry if any Chi Sox fans are reading this...

AJ Pierzynski getting voted in as the last all-star player over Francisco Liriano is utter bullshit

[schillingouttheks]

Hafner should have gotten it over Liriano. Liriano should have gotten it over 70% of the pitchers in the game.

[MANNYHOF24]

Liriano over Buehrle, Redman, Contrearas, Kenny Rogers, heck even Santana.

1.99 ERA, Hello that is like 99-00 Pedro


Say Mike Lowell, was in the final ballet thing, which he should have been, I still would have voted for Liriano, and I am a homer- however this guy frigging should be on this team.

[schillingouttheks]

Originally Posted by MANNYHOF24

Liriano over Buehrle, Redman, Contrearas, Kenny Rogers, heck even Santana.

1.99 ERA, Hello that is like 99-00 Pedro

Kenny Rogers isn't even the best pitcher on his team. Verlander and Robertson over Rogers.

[MANNYHOF24]

Originally Posted by schillingouttheks

Kenny Rogers isn't even the best pitcher on his team. Verlander and Robertson over Rogers.

I would agree 100%. However, Rogers is a better selection than Buehrle

[MANNYHOF24]

Key for this series, score first and hold the lead until we get to a save situation, because

[ORS]

Ozzie, AJ, and the Hawk? Some real likeable characters in this series. Yoda has an idea for some mojo.......

[Soxfan#1]

lets go red sox!

[jsinger121]

Tonight’s lineups:

Red Sox
1. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
2. Mark Loretta, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Jason Varitek, C
6. Mike Lowell, 3B
7. Gabe Kapler, RF
8. Coco Crisp, CF
9. Alex Gonzalez, SS
-- Jon Lester, SP

White Sox
1. Pablo Ozuna, LF
2. Álex Cintrón, 2B
3. Jim Thome, DH
4. Paul Konerko, 1B
5. Jermaine Dye, RF
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Juan Uribe, SS
8. Chris Widger, C
9. Brian Anderson, CF
-- Mark Buehrle, SP

[Youk Of The Nation]

Widger starting in place of Piersynzkisamientinkewiczinitxer?

[Youk Of The Nation]

I have to say, with Widger, Cintron, and Ozuna in instead of AJ, Iguchi, and Podsednik in, as far as the ChiSox go this is a depleted lineup. Still dangerous though.