The First Test: Tigers-Sox Gamer II

There have been better two-day stretches this season for the Red Sox. First, a loss to the Tigers, then the news that J.D. Drew was suffering what appears to be a minor back injury after giving it his all on a Magglio Ordonez home run, and today Terry Francona told reporters Josh Beckett will miss a start thanks to that cut on his middle finger.

It's not quite "Jon Lester diagnosed with cancer," or "David Ortiz hospitalized with chest pain," but it's quite enough, thanks. The Red Sox haven't lost two games in a row since April 23-24 to the Blue Jays. Since then, they've gone 14-5 and remain the top team in the majors. But now they have a couple injuries to worry about and a pitching matchup that does not favor them.

Julian Tavarez faces Mike Maroth tonight (assuming they play the game at all). Given the series thus far, I'll be happy with a split. But Tavarez has surprised us before, and Maroth -- though the Tigers are 7-0 when he pitches -- has only thrown three quality starts. This could be a slugfest, which is always fun. But I'll take the laugher and a return to winning ways any day.

Comment away!

Red Sox:

SS -- Julio Lugo
CF -- Coco Crisp
DH -- David Ortiz
LF -- Manny Ramirez
1B -- Kevin Youkilis
3B -- Mike Lowell
C -- Jason Varitek
RF -- Wily Mo Pena
2B -- Dustin Pedroia

P -- Julian Tavarez

Tigers:

1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Gary Sheffield, DH
4. Magglio Ordonez, RF
5. Carlos Guillen, SS
6. Ivan Rodriguez, C
7. Sean Casey, 1B
8. Craig Monroe, LF
9. Brandon Inge, 3B

P -- Mike Maroth

Comments

Rained out, double header tomorrow, but alas, we could still gain a game on the Yankees without even playing today :)

[Rob SF]

Of course a nationally televised game is rained out.

[TJ]

damn weather

[LocklandSF]

So is this the game thread for today?

Why has it been so quiet around here lately, what has happened to our fearless leaders?

I need minutia damn it!