GAME #147, BOSTON RED SOX AT TAMPA BAY RAYS

[Bear]

RED SOX V RAYS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017, 7 PM AT TROPICANA FIELD

TV:  NESN, FOX SPORTS SUN

BOSTON, (83-63)........................................................................................TAMPA, (72-75)

BOSTON:

CHRIS SALE, LHP, 16-7, 2.76 ERA, 278K

The lefty will face the Rays for the sixth time this season.  He has fared well
so far, going 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA.  In his career at Tropicana Field, Sale is 3-3
with a 1.75 ERA.  Sale is 9-5 with a 2.72 ERA in 17 starts this season.

TAMPA:

MATT ANDRIESE, RHP, 5-3, 4.46 ERA, 63K

Andriese will be making his third start in his return from the disabled list.  His
previous start, which also came against the Red Sox, didn't go so well, as he allowed
eight runs (six earned) on seven hits in just 1 2/3 innings.

Welcome home: Rays face Sox in St. Pete

Chris Bumbaca

The Rays will return to Tropicana Field in the wake of Hurricane Irma on Friday, when they open a three-game series against the Red Sox.

Though relieved to be playing at their home park instead of at Citi Field, where they were the "home" team for their three-game series against the Yankees earlier in the week, the Rays will have to string together wins if they want to stay in contention for the American League's second Wild Card spot. Meanwhile, the Red Sox will seek to maintain their lead over the Yankees in the AL East. The Red Sox lead the Yankees by three games in the AL East, and the Rays are five back in the hunt for the second AL Wild Card spot.

"It'll be good," manager Kevin Cash said after Wednesday's game. "I think everybody, to a man, was ready to go home."
Ace Chris Sale draws the nod in Friday's opener for the Red Sox, and the Rays will start Matt Andriese in a rematch of last Saturday's matchup in Boston.

The Red Sox prevailed that night, 9-0, as Sale tossed six scoreless innings and Andriese recorded only five outs before allowing eight runs (six earned) on seven hits.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS GAME

• Sale has been successful against the Rays this season, posting a 4-1 record and 2.06 ERA over five starts. In 35 innings against Tampa Bay, he has struck out 57.

• Dustin Pedroia hit a home run in the first inning off Andriese in that Sept. 9 game. He is 2-for-3 with two walks vs. Andriese in his career.

• Per Statcast, Andriese's .186 batting average allowed on pitches in the lower third of the strike zone ranks eighth among starters who have ended at least 50 at-bats in that area. However, opponents are batting .348 against Andriese on all other pitches within the zone.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170913254035864/welcome-home-rays-face-sox-in-st-pete/?game_pk=492298

[Bear]

Sox lineup:

1. Xander Bogaerts SS
2. Dustin Pedroia DH
3. Andrew Benintendi LF
4. Mookie Betts RF
5. Mitch Moreland 1B
6. Rafael Devers 3B
7. Brock Holt 2B
8. Sandy Leon C
9. Jackie Bradley Jr. CF

Pitching matchup: LHP Chris Sale (16-7, 2.76) vs. RHP Matt Andriese (5-3, 4.46), NESN, 7:10 p.m.

[Bill-806]

Lets go get them ..... "VICTORY goes to those who want it the most, want it the longest"..... thumb_u

[Bill-806]

Sox lineup:

1. Xander Bogaerts SS
2. Dustin Pedroia DH
3. Andrew Benintendi LF
4. Mookie Betts RF
5. Mitch Moreland 1B
6. Rafael Devers 3B
7. Brock Holt 2B
8. Sandy Leon C
9. Jackie Bradley Jr. CF

Pitching matchup: LHP Chris Sale (16-7, 2.76) vs. RHP Matt Andriese (5-3, 4.46), NESN, 7:10 p.m.

Hope that Sandy Leon brings his bat....  Lets get Sale some runs early & often !!! thumb_u rofl

[ipot]

It's September 15 and we're still in must win territory.  So, Sale has to do his thing and the bats must deliver.

Cubbies are 3 games up, too, on STL and MIL but it just doesn't feel like they're in danger of losing their division...

[SeaBeachFred]

Sox lineup:

1. Xander Bogaerts SS
2. Dustin Pedroia DH
3. Andrew Benintendi LF
4. Mookie Betts RF
5. Mitch Moreland 1B
6. Rafael Devers 3B
7. Brock Holt 2B
8. Sandy Leon C
9. Jackie Bradley Jr. CF

Pitching matchup: LHP Chris Sale (16-7, 2.76) vs. RHP Matt Andriese (5-3, 4.46), NESN, 7:10 p.m.

Hope that Sandy Leon brings his bat....  Lets get Sale some runs early & often !!! thumb_u rofl

Thanks Bill for none of your usual over optimistic predictions.  Our team doesn't deserve them and rarely lives up to them.  Just hope for the best.  At least Hanley is not in the lineup tonight again, but Leon is and that is not so good......AND EXPECT NO HELP FROM THE ORIOLES.

[SeaBeachFred]

It's September 15 and we're still in must win territory.  So, Sale has to do his thing and the bats must deliver.

Cubbies are 3 games up, too, on STL and MIL but it just doesn't feel like they're in danger of losing their division...

They're not in any danger but unfortunately we sure as hell are......think Hanley, Young, Bogaerts and Farrell and try not to have any nightmares over it.

[Schloicka]

Sox will be in the playoffs either as the division winner or as a wild card team. They are 6 games up for the 1st wild card spot and 9 games up for the 2nd. It will be what it will be.

[Rob from Mass]

Sale not the same guy from the 1st half.

[Bill-806]

Sale not the same guy from the 1st half.

Looks like the other teams know that they need to be aggressive right out of the shoot against SALE....... Laboring for sure !! iono

[markj]

Don't blink or you'll miss the Red Sox at bats. Sheesh.

[markj]

On the other hand, Sale is sitting them down quickly as well.

[markj]

Attaboy, Mitch. Sox up 2-0.

[Bear]

MLB punishment for stealing signs, fined.
Punishment for the yankees, fined.
Money to be donated to Florida cleanup due to flood waters.

[Bear]

Sale having another bad night.
3-2 Tampa.