Daisuke Matsuzaka Looks to Rebound Against Improving Orioles
Boston is 1-2 on its current homestand after a 6-0 win over Toronto on Sunday. The victory pulled the Sox within 6 1/2 games of Tampa Bay in the wild card race with only 13 games to go.
The struggling Daisuke Matsuzaka goes against lefty Brian Matusz for the Orioles, who had a dramatic win over the Yankees on Sunday.
Boston hopes to have Adrian Beltre back in the lineup. He missed Sunday's win after hurting his left hand the night before.
WHEN AND WHERE
Orioles (59-90) at Red Sox (83-66)
Monday, Sept. 20, 7:10 p.m. NESN
Fenway Park, Boston
HEAD TO HEAD
The Red Sox lead the season series 8-7.
PITCHING MATCHUP
LHP Brian Matusz (8-12, 4.68 ERA) vs. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (9-5, 4.82 ERA)
After eight stellar innings in a win over Cleveland on Aug. 5, Matsuzaka was 8-3 with a 3.96 ERA and was arguably the club's third-best starter behind the All-Stars Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz.
Since then Matsuzaka has gone 1-2 with a 7.18 ERA in six starts. He has allowed at least four runs in each of those outings. Remarkably, the Sox have gone 4-2 in those starts, including a win in Baltimore on Sept. 2 in which Matsuzaka gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings.
The righty is 4-2 with a 5.74 ERA against Baltimore in his career.
Matusz had been cruising before getting hit with a line drive in his last start and leaving after just one inning of work. He is 5-1 with a 2.66 ERA since Buck Showalter took over as Orioles manager last month.
There are reports that Matusz could be shut down after this start. He is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA in four starts vs. Boston this year.
LINEUPS
| Orioles | Red Sox |
|---|---|
| Brian Roberts, 2B Nick Markakis, RF Ty Wigginton, 1B Luke Scott, DH Matt Wieters, C Adam Jones, CF Felix Pie, LF Cesar Izturis, SS Josh Bell, 3B |
Marco Scutaro, 2B Darnell McDonald, RF Victor Martinez, 1B Adrian Beltre, 3B Mike Lowell, DH Jed Lowrie, SS Bill Hall, LF Jason Varitek, C Ryan Kalish, CF |
STAT SHEET
Red Sox
- J.D. Drew is the first Red Sox right fielder with at least 19 home runs in three straight years since Dwight Evans from 1984-86.
- Infielder/outfielder Bill Hall is batting .364 (12-for-33) in his last 11 home games.
- Catcher Victor Martinez has five home runs and 17 RBIs in his last 13 games.
Orioles
- Luke Scott's game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth Sunday vs. New York was his 27th of the season but just the first in 14 games this month.
- Baltimore is 20-43 against the A.L. East and 32-36 against the rest of the league.
- Second baseman Brian Roberts is a career .247 hitter against Boston, 37 points below his career mark.
BLACK AND BLUE
Red Sox
- Beltre had tests on his sore left hand Sunday. He was cleared to return to action and should start Monday.
- Second baseman Dustin Pedroia had season-ending surgery Sept. 3 on his broken left foot. He is expected to be fully healed for spring training.
- Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) will not resume any baseball-related activities until after the season ends.
- Center fielder Mike Cameron had season-ending surgery Friday to repair an abdominal tear.
- First baseman Kevin Youkilis had successful surgery to repair the torn right adductor muscle on his right hand. He will miss the remainder of the season.
- Left-hander Felix Doubront has pain behind his left clavicle. He has not pitched since Aug. 31 and has no return date set. Doubront will be reevaluated Monday but may be done for the year.
- Right-hander Junichi Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.
Orioles
- Infielder Julio Lugo has been bothered by headaches.
- Right-hander Jason Berken went on the DL in August with a slight tear in his right labrum and a frayed rotator cuff. He is expected to be able to rehab the shoulder and avoid surgery.
OUTLOOK
It has been a long time since Matsuzaka has looked remotely like the pitcher that shined through parts of the summer. Like others on the staff in need of a strong finish, it would be nice to see him post a rare quality start. He hasn't done so since Aug. 5.
