Tonight, the Sox look to extend their lead in the standings as they take on the Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim). They’ll send David Price to the hill against JC Ramirez. Price is looking to bounce back and start to find his command after a string of starts with uncharacteristic wildness. He hasn’t been happy with his performance so far this year as he’s pitched to a 5.14 ERA since returning from the DL. Ramirez also has been quite mediocre and has been tailing off in June. He’s never faced the Red Sox, which actually probably bodes well for him. I never feel like the Sox can figure out a pitcher in their first look at him.
Tonight’s lineup for Boston will look like this. Mookie Betts leads it off and plays right field. He’ll be followed by second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who returned last night after almost a week off with an injury. In the three hole, the Sox will trot out shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Bogey may have his power stroke going now and that’s exciting to see. Batting cleanup is first baseman Mitch Moreland. Hitting fifth is Andrew Benintendi, who has really turned it on in June. Since the 3rd, Benny Biceps is hitting .317 and has slugged five homers. He’s also been stellar in the field as he has four outfield assists since June 12th, most of any player in the majors. Vote him into the All Star Game! Seriously, do it now! In the sixth spot, the Sox will go with Hanley Ramirez, who stroked a home run last night in honor of his good friend and mentor, David Ortiz. Batting seventh is the centerfielder JBJ. Bradley is hitting .328 with a 1.021 OPS since May 23rd so everyone calling for his head looks pretty foolish right now. Batting eighth and getting the start behind the plate is Christian Vazquez. Hopefully he and Price have figured out their issues since the last outing and will be on the same page. Last but not least, we’ll have Deven Marrero batting ninth and manning the hot corner tonight.
The Angels lineup will be missing Mike Trout as he has been out for a while now with an injury sustained while sliding into second. They are a light-hitting lineup regardless and with Trout out, they really lack the pop. They’ll come out like this. Cameron Maybin will play centerfield and leadoff. He actually hasn’t been too bad this year when healthy, judging by his production for my fantasy team. Batting second and playing right field is Cole Kalhoun. Hitting third and DHing is The Machine himself, Albert Pujols. Pujols is having a rather good year and staying healthy, which is awesome for baseball. In the cleanup spot is the slick fielding shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Simmons is a wizard on defense, but if he’s batting fourth for you, your lineup has some issues. Hitting fifth is the catcher, Martin Maldonado. In the sixth slot is the man with the thickest facial hair in baseball, the second baseman, Danny Espinosa. Behind Espinosa in the seventh slot is the first baseman, Luis Valbuena. Hitting eighth is the left fielder, Eric Young Jr. In the nine hole it’ll be the third baseman, Cliff Pennington.
The Sox will look to improve upon their 41-32 record while the Angels will hope to get back to .500 and prevent falling father behind in the AL West. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Check back here for the postgame recap after the game.
