Oakland Athletics v. Boston Red Sox
Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Oakland comes to Boston as the Sox look to rebound from a rough July. Now, with the Yankees just one game behind the Red Sox, Boston appears poised to start the final stretch. In their next 22 games, the sox play just three against a team with a winning record (Texas, 61-48).
The Athletics (52-55, .486), currently sit in second play in the American League West, eight (8) games behind the first place Texas Rangers and fifteen (15) games behind the Yankees in the Wild Card chase.
Oakland has struggled offensively this season, batting just .242 as a team, good for 14th best in the AL. But, keeping with their organizational philosophy, the A's lead the AL in walks (429) and are third in home runs (128), which raises their On-Base Percentage to a decent .325 (9th). SS Bobby Crosby leads the club in batting (.269), while Jack Cust leads in HRs (23) and RBIs (71).
All Star Huston Street, a Red Sox target before the deadline, anchors a strong bullpen for Bob Geren's club. In 39 appearances, street has converted 24 saves with a 2.88 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP. Joe Blanton (9-9, 4.13) leads the starting rotation that includes four rookies: Greg Smith (9-6, 3.65 ERA, 128.1 IP, 43/108 BB/K's), Nick Blackburn (6-11, 5/16 w/ Min&Oak), Jesus Silva (7 GS, 4-2, 3.28), and Sean Gallagher (3-4, 6.71).
So far this season, the Red Sox are 3-4 against the Athletics, having swept the season opener in Japan before dropping three of their next four meetings, all in Oakland. This will be their first series in Boston this season.
Pitching Matchups:
8/1: Jon Lester (9-6, 4.14 ERA) v. Nick Blackburn (6-11, 5.16)
8/2: Tim Wakefield (10-6, 3.89) v. Joe Blanton (9-9, 4.13)
8/3: Clay Buchholz (9-4, 4.65) v. Jose Silva (4-2, 3.28)