First Pitch: Monday 7:10, Tuesday 7:10, Wednesday 7:10
Arms: Monday: Josh Beckett (4-6, 4.04 ERA) vs. Josh Johnson, RHP (3-4, 4.56 ERA)
Tuesday: Clay Buchholz, RHP (6-2, 5.77 ERA) vs. Mark Buehrle, LHP (5-6, 3.49 ERA)
Wednesday: Felix Doubront, LHP (6-3, 4.34 ERA) vs. Ricky Nolasco, RHP (6-4, 4.36 ERA)
The Matchup
Last time
The last time these two teams met was June 16-18, 2009. The Red Sox won the 3 game series in Boston as Tim Wakefield and Brad Penny won the first two, 8-2 and 6-1 and Jon Lester lost the rain shortened game 3, 2-1. I could analyze the series a little more, but that was a very different Sox team and none of it matters. I mean, Nick Green was the starting shortstop for the Red Sox in 2009. I forgot that guy existed.
This time
Laser Show: Josh Beckett
Don't Fall Behind: Ricky Molasco
Mark Buehrle is the best Marlins pitcher going in the series, but the Sox have been able to expose him in the past. Nolasco is one of those pitchers that only a handful of Red Sox batters have seen and will likely be a challenge for some of the first-time opponents.
How we see it goin' down
The Red Sox are struggling, but not as bad as the Marlins. Miami can't get anything going as of late and the Red Sox have their chance to jump all over that. This opportunity cannot be squandered and if the Red Sox can capitalize, they will take 2. They have a good chance to sweep if the offense awakens from the nap they took during the Nationals series.