A pair of favorites to reach the 2011 World Series are set to square off, as interleague play continues this week. The Red Sox (45-32), who are in 2nd place in the American League East division, travel to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies (49-30), who sit atop the National League East division.The teams will begin a three-game series on Tuesday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
In game one of the series, Boston will send veteran righty Josh Beckett, who leads the Major Leagues in ERA, to the mound. The Phillies will counter with left-hander Cliff Lee, who has not allowed a run in his past 23 innings.
Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups and other key details for this series.
Tuesday, 7:05PM. Josh Beckett (6-2, 1.86 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (8-5, 2.87 ERA). In 8 road starts this year, Beckett has a 4-2 record with a 2.35 ERA and a .183 batting average against. Beckett missed his last start with the flu. Beckett has a 2-2 record and a 6.26 ERA in 4 career starts at Citizens Bank Park. In his last 3 home starts, Lee allowed 1 earned run in 24 innings pitched (0.38 ERA). Lee has a 2-4 record and a 4.06 ERA in 10 career starts against Boston. Adrian Gonzalez is 7-for-10 with 3 doubles and a HR in his career against Lee.
Wednesday, 7:05PM. John Lackey (5-6, 7.36 ERA) vs. Vance Worley (2-1, 2.83 ERA). In his last 6 starts, Lackey is 3-3 with an 8.82 ERA. Lackey has a 2-3 record and a 6.82 ERA in 5 road starts this season. Raul Ibanez is 19-for-54 (.352 avg) in his career against the right-handed Lackey. In 4 home starts this season, Worley is 2-0 with a 1.57 ERA. Opponents have batted .182 against Worley in 8 career games at Citizens Bank Park.
Thursday, 1:05PM. Jon Lester (9-4, 3.66 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (9-4, 2.49 ERA). In his last 4 road starts, Lester is 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA. In 2 career starts against the Phillies, Lester is 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA. Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz are a combined 0-for-17 against Lester. Hamels is 5-2 with a 1.85 ERA in his last 8 starts. In 3 career starts against Boston, Hamels is 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA. Dustin Pedroia is 5-for-10 (.500 avg) with 2 doubles and a HR in his career against Hamels.
Adrian Gonzalez leads the American League with 71 RBI. In 33 career games against the Phillies, Gonzalez is a .350 hitter with 13 HR and 29 RBI.
Jonathan Papelbon is 10-for-10 in save opportunities on the road this season. In 7 career games against the Phillies, Papelbon has a 1.04 ERA.
In 36 road games this season, Kevin Youkilis has a .180 batting average. Youkilis is 6-for-30 (.200 avg) with 2 triples and 3 solo HR in 11 career games at Citizens Bank Park.
In 18 day games, Shane Victorino is batting .361, while he has posted just a .263 batting average in 44 night games.
Carlos Ruiz is 5-for-39 (.128 batting average) in 12 career games against Boston. Ruiz is batting .182 with runners in scoring position this season.
Raul Ibanez, who is batting .233 overall this season, has posted a .284 batting average in 41 home games in 2011. Ibanez is 26-for-74 (.351 avg) combined, in his career, against Boston's three scheduled starting pitchers for this series.
The Phillies announced prior to the series opener that reliever Ryan Madson has been placed on the disabled list, with a right hand contusion.
Red Sox team ERA- 3.97
Phillies team ERA- 3.05
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