June 24th @ Philadelphia

[CalvnHobs6]

Tim Wakefield
(5-6, 4.41 ERA)

vs.
Jon Lieber
(8-6, 4.63 ERA)


Guess what? Jon Lieber has given up TWENTY homeruns this year.
In 2004, Lieber was 1-0 with a 4.19 ERA in 3 starts against the Red Sox. Mueller and Millar have enjoyed HUGE success against Lieber, going a combined 24 for 52 against him with 8 extra base hits. Any chance Millar will start tonight with Manny, Ortiz, or Nixon on the bench? No DH this series.

The only Phillie who has EVER faced Wakefield is Ramon E. Martinez, a bench player who is 1-8 this year for the Phillies.

[soxie thefangirl]

Awesome. Looks like we could win it.

[CalvnHobs6]

Whooops, I was wrong. I looked up the stats incorrectly, there are plenty of Phillies who have faced Wake. I knew that seemed wrong.
Abreu, Bell, and Lieberthal all have had success.

[soxie thefangirl]

Ah well. Our hitting is doing so well. Wake just needs to hold them to not too many hits, hopefully.

[elsrbueno]

With Mirabelli already starting in place of Tek, it would be hard to imagine Terry taking Ortiz' lefthanded (and potent) bat out of the lineup ....

If it's me, I want David's bat in there, but given Millar's success (and Francona's desire to keep everyone fresh) Millar could play the outfield in this series.

Lieber gave us fits in the ALCS last year, outdueled Pedro even in game 2. He should be a tough customer tonight.

As usual, Wake's key to victory. We should get 3 or 4 runs against Lieber, so if Wake can keep them below that, and the bullpen holds it, we can win this ballgame. If Wake gives up 4+ runs, I don't like our chances.

[Soxfan#1]

This should be good. I want revenge on lieber.

[yankeessuck013]

Any chance Millar will start tonight with Manny, Ortiz, or Nixon on the bench? No DH this series.

doubt it...ortiz and manny will both be in cuz it will be very hot in philly and that ball will travel FAR, which leaves me to be concerned about Wake. ........but then again wake has always said he pitches better in hot weather (like in chicago)

[yeszir]

Today we take over 1st place in the division. I can feel it.

[riverside sluggers]

oh yea, im thinking atlanta has a good shot of sweeping baltimore, or at least 2 out of 3

[Sox fan in Tex]

Oh, the brotherly love.

[YanksHater213]

Pedro faces the Yankees tonight... I hope that game is on ESPN.

EDIT: I believe it is... Im going to watch it over the Sox game. Nothing like watching a man smack his parents around... haha

[Youk Of The Nation]

Pedro faces the Yankees tonight... I hope that game is on ESPN.

EDIT: I believe it is... Im going to watch it over the Sox game. Nothing like watching a man smack his parents around... haha

Damn straight. He deserves it, too, after what happened last time, the poor guy. <_<

[ORS]

Pre-game lineups from mlb.com:

Damon, CF
Renteria, SS
Ortiz, 1B
Manny, LF
Nixon, RF
Mueller, 3B
Mirabelli, C
Bellhorn, 2B
Wake, P


Rollins, SS
Lofton, CF
Abreu, RF
Thome, 1B
Burrell, LF
Utley, 2B
Bell, 3B
Lieberthal, C
Lieber, P

[ORS]

if Mirabelli's having a tough time catching the flutter-ball, why not just play Tek so we don't lose the bat?

[ORS]

I have decided to eat my foot.........way to go DOUG! 3-run shot!