Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2011 23:25:46 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Minnesota Twins (46-49) @ Boston Red Sox (52-43)[/shadow]
MIN: Jon Lester (6-6, 4.52 ERA)
BOS: Jonathan Niese (9-4, 5.02 ERA)
Down and out as recently as the beginning of the month, the Boston Red Sox have gone 12-6 in July to shave four games off their deficit in the AL East. The Red Sox go into the game trailing the Yankees and Rays by a manageable five games.
The key has been a torrid month by Hanley Ramirez. Starved for RBI's in the leadoff spot, Ramirez was moved to the third spot in the order earlier in the month. As a result, he spent the first 10 days of the month knocking in runs, with a 10-game RBI streak. He's driven in at least run in 15 of 18 July games, and is currently on a 17-game hitting streak. In other words, Hanley is back.
Ramirez joins Miguel Cabrera as a potent pair of right handed hitters. The duo is the main reason why the Red Sox are now second in the league in runs scored. It also helps that their pitching has improved. Today's starter, Jonathan Niese, is coming off 8 shutout innings against Kansas City.
Niese will take on a Twins team that hasn't been able to get on track this season. An awful June has left the Twins six back in the AL Central. The team has the second worst pitching in the AL, in small part to starter Jon Lester. Expected to be a staff anchor atop the rotation, Lester has a 4.52 ERA, which won't cut it against powerful offenses like Boston's. In fact, Lester has faced his former team twice this season, and allowed five runs twice. In the first game he didn't get out of the sixth, in the second he didn't make it out of the third.
This puts more pressure on Minnesota's offense to perform well, but the bottom of their batting order isn't scary. Kevin Youkalis is hitting .210, while players like Sergio Duran and Jason Bartlett don't inspire any fear in opposing pitchers. The Twins do have a fair number of hits though, and they will steal bases, something for Niese to watch out for.
Questions for the GM's. For Chris Ojanen, your ace Lester has not pitched well this year, especially against Boston. Why has he struggled against his former team?
Brian Dozier has a nice line drive swing and he's done a credible job out of the bottom of the order. Where does he fit into your plans?
Kevin Youkalis faces his former team in the last year of his contract. He's struggled this season, what do you see out of him against Niese today?
For Derek Bobola, Reymond Fuentes is the only player remaining in your organization following the Chris Iannetta trade last season. Did you expect him to figure into your plans this season and play this well?
B.J. Upton has stolen 16 bases, but he's only hitting .222. Are you disappointed in his play?
You have a weary bullpen with Brian Wilson still nicked up for a few more days. How are you going to manage the middle innings today?
MIN: Jon Lester (6-6, 4.52 ERA)
BOS: Jonathan Niese (9-4, 5.02 ERA)
Down and out as recently as the beginning of the month, the Boston Red Sox have gone 12-6 in July to shave four games off their deficit in the AL East. The Red Sox go into the game trailing the Yankees and Rays by a manageable five games.
The key has been a torrid month by Hanley Ramirez. Starved for RBI's in the leadoff spot, Ramirez was moved to the third spot in the order earlier in the month. As a result, he spent the first 10 days of the month knocking in runs, with a 10-game RBI streak. He's driven in at least run in 15 of 18 July games, and is currently on a 17-game hitting streak. In other words, Hanley is back.
Ramirez joins Miguel Cabrera as a potent pair of right handed hitters. The duo is the main reason why the Red Sox are now second in the league in runs scored. It also helps that their pitching has improved. Today's starter, Jonathan Niese, is coming off 8 shutout innings against Kansas City.
Niese will take on a Twins team that hasn't been able to get on track this season. An awful June has left the Twins six back in the AL Central. The team has the second worst pitching in the AL, in small part to starter Jon Lester. Expected to be a staff anchor atop the rotation, Lester has a 4.52 ERA, which won't cut it against powerful offenses like Boston's. In fact, Lester has faced his former team twice this season, and allowed five runs twice. In the first game he didn't get out of the sixth, in the second he didn't make it out of the third.
This puts more pressure on Minnesota's offense to perform well, but the bottom of their batting order isn't scary. Kevin Youkalis is hitting .210, while players like Sergio Duran and Jason Bartlett don't inspire any fear in opposing pitchers. The Twins do have a fair number of hits though, and they will steal bases, something for Niese to watch out for.
Questions for the GM's. For Chris Ojanen, your ace Lester has not pitched well this year, especially against Boston. Why has he struggled against his former team?
Brian Dozier has a nice line drive swing and he's done a credible job out of the bottom of the order. Where does he fit into your plans?
Kevin Youkalis faces his former team in the last year of his contract. He's struggled this season, what do you see out of him against Niese today?
For Derek Bobola, Reymond Fuentes is the only player remaining in your organization following the Chris Iannetta trade last season. Did you expect him to figure into your plans this season and play this well?
B.J. Upton has stolen 16 bases, but he's only hitting .222. Are you disappointed in his play?
You have a weary bullpen with Brian Wilson still nicked up for a few more days. How are you going to manage the middle innings today?