Tampa Bay @ Boston preview
Fenway Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 17, 2010 ) Tampa Bay 6, Boston 5
The Tampa Bay Rays have had two long nights and lousy weather to deal with, but so far it's been a fun weekend in Boston.
The Rays finished off two wins on Saturday. Pat Burrell's two-run homer in the 12th inning gave Tampa Bay a 3-1 win in the completion of Friday night's suspended game. The Rays also won Saturday's scheduled game, defeating the Red Sox 6-5.
With two more games left in the four-game set, the Rays are in position to open some serious ground on Boston in the American League East. Although it's still early in the season, division games are critical at any time of the schedule and it's especially important to record wins in a place like Fenway.
Matt Garza takes the mound for Tampa Bay, which is good news for the Rays. The right-hander has been dominant in his two starts, both against Baltimore. He has allowed 10 hits and struck out 14 in 16 innings. Garza has also done well against the Red Sox, going 5-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 12 career starts.
Burrell has suddenly become Tampa Bay's hottest hitter. Not only did the designated hitter win the suspended game with his home run, his three-run double in the first inning got the Rays going in Saturday's scheduled game.
Boston is going to need a better outing from Jon Lester than he's produced in his first two starts. The left-hander has been knocked around in both of his outings, which, not surprisingly, have ended up in Boston losses.
Lester has allowed eight runs and 14 hits in 10 innings and was the losing pitcher Monday against Minnesota. He is 6-2 lifetime against the Rays and 23-5 lifetime at Fenway.
The Red Sox continue to play with a makeshift lineup. Center fielder Mike Cameron returned Saturday after missing two games because of a kidney stone. Cameron made a huge error in Saturday's contest, dropping a fly ball that would have been the third out and opening the door for Tampa Bay's four-run first inning.
Left fielder Jacoby Ellsbury hasn't played in a week because of bruised ribs. It's possible the Red Sox could get their leadoff hitter back by the middle of next week.
Boston hit three homers Saturday, including the fifth of the season by second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
The series ends with an 11:05 a.m. game Monday on Patriots Day in Boston.