<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>NESN.com &#187; MLB Preview</title>
	<atom:link href="http://nesn.com/mlb/preview/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://nesn.com</link>
	<description>Sports News &#124; Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, Celtics</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 03:11:29 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.com/</generator>
<cloud domain='nesn.com' port='80' path='/?rsscloud=notify' registerProcedure='' protocol='http-post' />
<image>
		<url>http://1.gravatar.com/blavatar/b78db9f8695b57fe74bb269068791bb4?s=96&#038;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.png</url>
		<title>NESN.com &#187; MLB Preview</title>
		<link>http://nesn.com</link>
	</image>
	<atom:link rel="search" type="application/opensearchdescription+xml" href="http://nesn.com/osd.xml" title="NESN.com" />
	<atom:link rel='hub' href='http://nesn.com/?pushpress=hub'/>
		<item>
		<title>Johnny Damon Back in Indians Lineup as Daniel Bard, Justin Masterson Square Off on Mother&#8217;s Day</title>
		<link>http://nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-damon-back-in-indians-lineup-as-daniel-bard-justin-masterson-square-off-on-mothers-day/</link>
		<comments>http://nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-damon-back-in-indians-lineup-as-daniel-bard-justin-masterson-square-off-on-mothers-day/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 13 May 2012 14:43:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ricky Doyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Bank Leading Off]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ricky Doyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nesncom.wordpress.com/2012/05/13/johnny-damon-back-in-indians-lineup-as-daniel-bard-justin-masterson-square-off-on-mothers-day/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#039;s been a rarity this season to see Bobby Valentine roll out the same lineup two games in a row, but that&#039;s exactly what he&#039;s doing Sunday. The Red Sox lineup will be the same &#8212; top to bottom &#8212; as it was on Saturday, with Ryan Sweeney leading off and Mike Aviles once again [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=7865&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="asset-img-link" href="http://nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-damon-back-in-indians-lineup-as-daniel-bard-justin-masterson-square-off-on-mothers-day.html"><img src="http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/6a0115709f071f970b016305836bb3970d.jpe" alt="Johnny Damon Back in Indians Lineup as Daniel Bard, Justin Masterson Square Off on Mother&#039;s Day" style="width: 400px;margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px" /></a>It&#039;s been a rarity this season to see <strong>Bobby Valentine</strong> roll out the same lineup two games in a row, but that&#039;s exactly what he&#039;s doing Sunday.</p>
<p>The Red Sox lineup will be the same &#8212; top to bottom &#8212; as it was on Saturday, with<strong> Ryan Sweeney </strong>leading off and <strong>Mike Aviles </strong>once again batting ninth.</p>
<p><strong>Daniel Nava </strong>will also get the start for a fourth straight game. Since being called up to Boston on Thursday, Nava is 4-for-8 with four walks in 12 plate appearances. He went 2-for-3 with a run scored on Saturday.</p>
<p>For the Indians,<strong> Johnny Damon</strong> will be back in the lineup after getting the night off on Saturday. He was 2-for-11 through the first two games of the series, and his season average currently sits at .171 (7-for-41).</p>
<p><strong>Daniel Bard</strong> takes the ball for the Red Sox, while<strong> Justin Masterson </strong>gets the nod for Cleveland.</p>
<p>Masterson always seems to pitch well against the Red Sox. The righty is 3-0 with a 1.95 ERA in four career starts against his former club.</p>
<p>The rest of Sunday&#039;s lineups can be seen below.</p>
<p><strong>Red Sox (14-19)</strong><br />Ryan Sweeney, CF<br />Dustin Pedroia, 2B<br />David Ortiz, DH<br />Adrian Gonzalez, 1B<br />Will Middlebrooks, 3B<br />Daniel Nava, LF<br />Cody Ross, RF<br />Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C<br />Mike Aviles, SS</p>
<p>Daniel Bard, P</p>
<p><strong>Indians (18-15)</strong><br />Johnny Damon, LF<br />Jason Kipnis, 2B<br />Asdrubal Cabrera, SS<br />Travis Hafner, DH<br />Carlos Santana, C<br />Shin-Soo Choo, RF<br />Michael Brantley, CF<br />Casey Kotchman, 1B<br />Jack Hannahan, 3B</p>
<p>Justin Masterson, P</p>
<br />  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/nesncom.wordpress.com/7865/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/nesncom.wordpress.com/7865/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=7865&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://nesn.com/2012/05/johnny-damon-back-in-indians-lineup-as-daniel-bard-justin-masterson-square-off-on-mothers-day/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/0f777aacfbd4786fe056622388931715?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">nesnrdoyle</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/6a0115709f071f970b016305836bb3970d.jpe" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Johnny Damon Back in Indians Lineup as Daniel Bard, Justin Masterson Square Off on Mother&#039;s Day</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Kevin Youkilis to Bat Cleanup As Red Sox Open Up Three-Game Series in Toronto</title>
		<link>http://nesn.com/2012/04/kevin-youkilis-to-bat-cleanup-as-red-sox-open-up-three-game-series-in-toronto/</link>
		<comments>http://nesn.com/2012/04/kevin-youkilis-to-bat-cleanup-as-red-sox-open-up-three-game-series-in-toronto/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:04:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Didier Morais</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Didier Morais]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Bank Leading Off]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Toronto Blue Jays]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nesncom.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/kevin-youkilis-to-bat-cleanup-as-red-sox-open-up-three-game-series-in-toronto/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Bobby Valentine has reinserted Kevin Youkilis, Cody Ross and Jarrod Saltalamacchia into Monday&#039;s lineup –– in the first game against the Blue Jays –– after giving them a breather on Sunday. The only noticeable difference is the skipper slotted Youkilis in the cleanup spot over David Ortiz, who hit fourth in the first two games [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=11187&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Bobby Valentine</strong> has reinserted <strong>Kevin Youkilis</strong>, <strong>Cody Ross </strong>and <strong>Jarrod Saltalamacchia </strong>into Monday&#039;s lineup –– in the first game against the Blue Jays –– after giving them a breather on Sunday.
</p>
<p>The only noticeable difference is the skipper slotted Youkilis in the cleanup spot over <strong>David Ortiz</strong>, who hit fourth in the first two games of the season. It&#039;s likely a strategic move to help Youkilis shake off his early 0-for-8 start.</p>
<p>Here are the lineups.</p>
<p><strong>Red Sox</strong><br />Jacoby Ellsbury, CF<br />Dustin Pedroia, 2B<br />Adrian Gonzalez, 1B<br />Kevin Youkilis, 3B<br />David Ortiz, DH<br />Cody Ross, LF <br />Ryan Sweeney, RF<br />Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C<br />Mike Aviles, SS</p>
<p>Felix Doubront, P</p>
<p><strong>Blue Jays</strong><br />Yunel Escobar, SS<br />Kelly Johnson, 2B<br />Jose Bautista, RF<br />Edwin Encarnacion, DH<br />Adam Lind, 1B<br />Brett Lawrie, 3B<br />Rajai Davis, LF<br />J.P. Arencibia, C<br />Colby Rasmus, CF</p>
<p>Henderson Alvarez, P</p>
<br />  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/nesncom.wordpress.com/11187/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/nesncom.wordpress.com/11187/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=11187&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://nesn.com/2012/04/kevin-youkilis-to-bat-cleanup-as-red-sox-open-up-three-game-series-in-toronto/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/6aa7864ee9feeaaaf5164bcce0a0f6ad?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">nesndmorais</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Nick Punto Leading Off, Playing Third Base As Red Sox Seek First Win of Season on Easter Sunday</title>
		<link>http://nesn.com/2012/04/nick-punto-leading-off-playing-third-base-as-red-sox-seek-first-win-of-season-on-easter-sunday/</link>
		<comments>http://nesn.com/2012/04/nick-punto-leading-off-playing-third-base-as-red-sox-seek-first-win-of-season-on-easter-sunday/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Apr 2012 15:16:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ricky Doyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Bank Leading Off]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ricky Doyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nesncom.wordpress.com/2012/04/08/nick-punto-leading-off-playing-third-base-as-red-sox-seek-first-win-of-season-on-easter-sunday/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After dropping the first two games of the season, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine is really switching things up on Easter Sunday. Nick Punto will not only get his first start as a member of the Sox, but he&#039;ll be leading off, which will result in Jacoby Ellsbury sliding to the No. 2 spot. Dustin [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=11276&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After dropping the first two games of the season, Red Sox manager <strong>Bobby Valentine</strong> is really switching things up on Easter Sunday.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Nick Punto </strong>will not only get his first start as a member of the Sox, but he&#039;ll be leading off, which will result in <strong>Jacoby Ellsbury</strong> sliding to the No. 2 spot.</p>
<p><strong>Dustin Pedroia a</strong>nd <strong>Adrian Gonzalez </strong>will each shift down a spot as well, hitting third and fourth, respectively, against Tigers right-hander<strong> Max Scherzer</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Darnell McDonald </strong>and <strong>Kelly Shoppach</strong> will also receive starts, while <strong>Clay Buchholz</strong> will toe the rubber as Boston seeks its first win of 2012.</p>
<p>Here&#039;s a look at the complete lineups for Sunday.</p>
<p><strong>Red Sox</strong><br />Nick Punto, 3B<br />Jacoby Ellsbury, CF<br />Dustin Pedroia, 2B<br />Adrian Gonzalez, 1B<br />David Ortiz, DH<br />Darnell McDonald, LF<br />Ryan Sweeney, RF<br />Mike Aviles, SS<br />Kelly Shoppach, C</p>
<p>Clay Buchholz, P</p>
<p><strong>Tigers</strong><br />Austin Jackson, CF<br />Brennan Boesch, RF<br />Miguel Cabrera, 3B<br />Prince Fielder, 1B<br />Delmon Young, DH<br />Alex Avila, C<br />Jhonny Peralta, SS<br />Andy Dirks, LF<br />Ryan Raburn, 2B</p>
<p>Max Scherzer, P</p>
<br />  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/nesncom.wordpress.com/11276/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/nesncom.wordpress.com/11276/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=11276&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://nesn.com/2012/04/nick-punto-leading-off-playing-third-base-as-red-sox-seek-first-win-of-season-on-easter-sunday/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/0f777aacfbd4786fe056622388931715?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">nesnrdoyle</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Carl Crawford, Red Sox Look to Keep Swinging Hot Bats Against Right-Hander Kyle Davies, Struggling Kansas City Royals</title>
		<link>http://nesn.com/2011/07/carl-crawford-red-sox-look-to-keep-swinging-hot-bats-against-right-hander-kyle-davies-struggling-roy/</link>
		<comments>http://nesn.com/2011/07/carl-crawford-red-sox-look-to-keep-swinging-hot-bats-against-right-hander-kyle-davies-struggling-roy/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:43:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ricky Doyle</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Bank Leading Off]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Headlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ricky Doyle]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nesncom.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/carl-crawford-red-sox-look-to-keep-swinging-hot-bats-against-right-hander-kyle-davies-struggling-roy/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Jon Lester hasn&#039;t pitched since July 5 due to a left lat strain. But he&#039;ll return to the mound at Fenway on Monday and, if the past is any indication, the Royals might be the perfect team for him to return against. Lester is 4-1 with a 1.22 ERA in five career starts against Kansas [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=31220&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Jon Lester</strong> hasn&#039;t pitched since July 5 due to a left lat strain. But he&#039;ll return to the mound at Fenway on Monday and, if the past is any indication, the Royals might be the perfect team for him to return against.
</p>
<p>Lester is 4-1 with a 1.22 ERA in five career starts against Kansas City, which includes his 2008 no-hitter. He has yet to face the Royals this season, though.</p>
<p>Going up against Lester and the Sox will be right-hander <strong>Kyle Davies</strong>, who is in the midst of a dismal season. He enters Monday&#039;s matchup at 1-9 with a 7.32 ERA. He is 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts against the Red Sox.</p>
<p>The Sox will send out a common lineup against Davies and Co. on Monday night. It will mark the fifth straight game that the lineup hasn&#039;t changed outside of the catcher&#039;s spot at No. 8.</p>
<p><strong>Josh Reddick</strong>, who has likely become the team&#039;s everyday right fielder because of his performance this season and J.D. Drew&#039;s most recent injury, will bat seventh.</p>
<p><strong>Jarrod Saltalamacchia</strong>, who is swinging a hot bat to start the second half of the season, will be Lester&#039;s catcher in the lefty&#039;s return, while <strong>Marco Scutaro </strong>rounds out the order in the nine hole.</p>
<p>Here&#039;s a look at the complete lineups for Monday&#039;s game.</p>
<p><strong>Red Sox</strong><br /> Jacoby Ellsbury, CF<br />Dustin Pedroia, 2B<br />Adrian Gonzalez, 1B<br />Kevin Youkilis, 3B<br />David Ortiz, DH<br />Carl Crawford, LF<br />Josh Reddick, RF<br />Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C<br />Marco Scutaro, SS</p>
<p><strong>Royals</strong><br />Alex Gordon, LF<br />Melky Cabrera, CF<br />Billy Butler, DH<br />Eric Hosmer, 1B<br />Jeff Francoeur, RF<br />Mike Aviles, 3B<br />Brayan Pena, C<br />Alcides Escobar, SS<br />Chris Getz, 2B</p>
<br />  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/nesncom.wordpress.com/31220/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/nesncom.wordpress.com/31220/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=31220&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://nesn.com/2011/07/carl-crawford-red-sox-look-to-keep-swinging-hot-bats-against-right-hander-kyle-davies-struggling-roy/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/0f777aacfbd4786fe056622388931715?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">nesnrdoyle</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>American League Looks to Continue All-Star Game Dominance</title>
		<link>http://nesn.com/2010/07/american-league-looks-to-continue-allstar-game-dominance/</link>
		<comments>http://nesn.com/2010/07/american-league-looks-to-continue-allstar-game-dominance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:36:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony Lee</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Game]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tony Lee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Top Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nesncom.wordpress.com/2010/07/13/american-league-looks-to-continue-allstar-game-dominance/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It still counts, which doesn&#039;t bode well for whichever team ends up representing the National League in the 2010 World Series. Yes, the All-Star Game still determines home-field advantage for the Fall Classic, and the American League has owned the exhibition of late. The AL has won 12 in a row, with a tie mixed [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=60312&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
<a href="http://nesn.com/2010/07/american-league-looks-to-continue-allstar-game-dominance.html"><img src="http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/6a0115709f071f970b0133f2409bb7970b.jpe" alt="American League Looks to Continue All-Star Game Dominance" style="width: 400px;margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px" /></a> It still counts, which doesn&#039;t bode well for whichever team ends up representing the National League in the 2010 World Series.
</p>
<p>Yes, the All-Star Game still determines home-field advantage for the Fall Classic, and the American League has owned the exhibition of late. The AL has won 12 in a row, with a tie mixed in, and is 18-3-1 in the last 22.</p>
<p>The NL has gotten closer, however. The last four meetings have been decided by just one run.</p>
<p>The Red Sox send six players to Anaheim, only three of whom are healthy enough to play. Jon Lester was in the mix to earn the starting nod but will serve in relief of starter <strong>David Price</strong>. <strong>David Ortiz </strong>and <strong>Adrian Beltre</strong> are reserves. Beltre said he will be able to play after straining his left hamstring Sunday in Toronto.<strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Clay Buchholz</strong>, <strong>Dustin Pedroia</strong> and <strong>Victor Martinez</strong> were selected but remain on the disabled list.</p>
<h3>WHEN AND WHERE</h3>
<p>National League vs. American League<br />Tuesday, July 13, 8:05 p.m. <br />Angel Stadium, Anaheim, Calif.<br />
<h3>HEAD TO HEAD</h3>
<p>The NL owns a 40-38-2 advantage.<br />
<h3>PITCHING MATCHUP</h3>
<p><strong>RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (15-1, 2.20 ERA) vs. LHP David Price (12-4, 2.42 ERA) </strong><br /><strong><br />Joe Girardi </strong>had a tough choice to make between Price and Lester, but the AL&#039;s ERA leader and the first hurler in the league to reach 12 wins gets the deserving nod.</p>
<p>Price&#039;s most recent outing was a dominant one against the Sox. The 24-year-old allowed two runs in 7 2/3 innings, striking out 10 and walking only one in a 6-4 win.</p>
<p>He will be backed by Lester, New York&#039;s duo of <strong>Andy Pettitte</strong><strong></strong> and <strong>Phil Hughes</strong> (<strong>CC Sabathia</strong> is ineligible to pitch, because he started on Sunday) and first-time participants <strong>Trevor Cahill</strong> of Oakland and <strong>Fausto Carmona</strong> of Cleveland, plus a stable of relievers.</p>
<p>Jimenez leads the majors in wins and has one of several no-hitters thrown this year. It was his meeting with the Sox on June 23 that sent him into a bit of a slump (8.66 ERA in three starts), but he showed his stuff with a dominant effort against St. Louis on Thursday, allowing a run on only three hits in eight innings.</p>
<p><strong>Josh Johnson</strong>, who owns a major-league best 1.70 ERA, was in the running to get the start for NL manager <strong>Charlie Manuel</strong>. <strong>Tim Lincecum</strong>, <strong>Roy Halladay</strong>, <strong>Chris Carpenter</strong>, <strong>Tim Hudson </strong>and <strong>Yovani Gallardo</strong> are the other starters.<br />
<h3>LINEUPS</h3>
<table class="table-content">
<tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr>
<td class="nesn">1. Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins<br />2. Martin Prado, 2B, Braves<br />3. Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals<br />4. Ryan Howard, DH, Phillies<br />5. David Wright, 3B, Mets<br />6. Ryan Braun, LF, Brewers<br />7. Andre Ethier, CF, Dodgers<br />8. Corey Hart, RF, Brewers<br />9. Yadier Molina, C, Cardinals</td>
<td>1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Mariners<br />2. Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees<br />3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers<br />4. Josh Hamilton, CF, Rangers<br />5. Vladimir Guerrero, DH, Rangers<br />6. Evan Longoria, 3B, Rays<br />7. Joe Mauer, C, Twins<br />8. Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees<br />9. Carl Crawford, LF, Rays</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>STAT SHEET</h3>
<p><strong>American League</strong>
<ul>
<li>The AL has 15 first-time All-Stars.</li>
<li>Designated hitter <strong>David Ortiz</strong> owns the highest slugging percentage (4.000) for one All-Star game, accomplished when he homered and walked twice during the 2004 edition.</li>
<li>Shortstop <strong>Derek Jeter</strong> ranks seventh all-time with a .429 average in All-Star games.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National League</strong>
<ul>
<li>The NL has 17 first-time All-Stars.</li>
<li>The top five hitters in the NL&#039;s starting lineup last year went a combined 0-for-12.</li>
<li>Roy Halladay started last year for the AL, giving up three runs &#8212; two earned &#8212; in two innings.</li>
</ul>
<h3>BLACK AND BLUE</h3>
<p><strong>American League</strong>
<ul>
<li>Dustin Pedroia (foot), Clay Buchholz (hamstring) and Victor Martinez (thumb) are all on the DL for Boston. </li>
<li>
Minnesota first baseman <strong>Justin Morneau</strong> is out after suffering a concussion in a collision at Toronto last week.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National League</strong>
<ul>
<li>Starting second baseman <strong>Chase Utley</strong> of Philadelphia and starting outfielder <strong>Jason Heyward</strong> of Atlanta are both on the DL with thumb injuries.</li>
<li>Reserve shortstops <strong>Troy Tulowitzki</strong> and <strong>Jose Reyes </strong>will sit with wrist and oblique injuries, respectively.</li>
</ul>
<h3>OUTLOOK</h3>
<p>The NL has to win one of these years. Perhaps it can pin its hopes on Price being a bit rattled. He is the youngest All-Star starter since <strong>Dwight Gooden</strong> in 1988.</p>
<p>That said, the AL boasts a power-packed lineup that will be difficult to navigate. It has won six in a row in its own parks.</p>
<br />  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/nesncom.wordpress.com/60312/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/nesncom.wordpress.com/60312/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=60312&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://nesn.com/2010/07/american-league-looks-to-continue-allstar-game-dominance/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/b57f3c4bd8cf62e5f63240bf073a678b?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">nesnstaff</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/6a0115709f071f970b0133f2409bb7970b.jpe" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">American League Looks to Continue All-Star Game Dominance</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Tim Wakefield, Boston Look to Improve to 9-2 in Interleague Play with Win Over L.A.</title>
		<link>http://nesn.com/2010/06/tim-wakefield-boston-look-to-improve-to-92-in-interleague-play/</link>
		<comments>http://nesn.com/2010/06/tim-wakefield-boston-look-to-improve-to-92-in-interleague-play/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:19:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony Lee</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Bank Leading Off]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Game]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Los Angeles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tony Lee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Top Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nesncom.wordpress.com/2010/06/19/tim-wakefield-boston-look-to-improve-to-92-in-interleague-play/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Red Sox carry a four-game winning streak into the second of three straight meetings with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Amid all the drama surrounding the return of Manny Ramirez to Fenway Park, the Sox took the series opener 10-6. Felix Doubront allowed three earned runs in five-plus innings in his major league debut, and [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=61996&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
<a href="http://nesn.com/2010/06/tim-wakefield-boston-look-to-improve-to-92-in-interleague-play.html"><img src="http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/6a0115709f071f970b013484a7170c970c.jpe" alt="Tim Wakefield, Boston Look to Improve to 9-2 in Interleague Play with Win Over L.A." style="width: 400px;margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px" /></a> The Red Sox carry a four-game winning streak into the second of three straight meetings with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
</p>
<p>Amid all the drama surrounding the return of <strong>Manny Ramirez</strong> to Fenway Park, the Sox took the series opener 10-6. <strong>Felix Doubront</strong> allowed three earned runs in five-plus innings in his major league debut, and both <strong>David Ortiz </strong>and <strong>Adrian Beltre</strong> clocked two-run homers.</p>
<p>The win bumped Boston to 6-1 on its current homestand, 8-2 in interleague play and moved the club to within a game of first place in the AL East.</p>
<p><strong>Tim Wakefield</strong> and <strong>Vicente Padilla</strong> are the starters for game No. 2.</p>
<h3>WHEN AND WHERE</h3>
<p><a href="http://stats.nesn.com/mlb/teamreports.asp?tm=19&amp;report=teamhome" target="_blank">Dodgers</a> (38-29) at <a href="http://stats.nesn.com/mlb/teamreports.asp?tm=02&amp;report=teamhome" target="_blank">Red Sox</a> (41-28)<br />Saturday, June 19, 4:10 p.m. <br />Fenway Park, Boston<br />
<h3>HEAD TO HEAD</h3>
<p>The Sox are 3-1 all-time against the Dodgers at home.<br />
<h3>PITCHING MATCHUP</h3>
<p><strong>RHP Vicente Padilla (1-1, 6.65 ERA) vs. RHP Tim Wakefield (2-5, 5.42 ERA)</strong></p>
<p>Wakefield has lasted at least seven innings in four of his last six starts, including a solid effort in a loss to Philadelphia six days ago.</p>
<p>The veteran knuckleballer gave up four runs &#8212; all in one inning &#8212; in 7 1/3 frames of a 5-3 loss. The setback dropped Wakefield to 0-4 with a 6.86 ERA at home this year.</p>
<p>Wakefield is 1-2 with a 6.64 ERA in his career against Los Angeles.</p>
<p>Padilla will be making his first start since April 22, the day before he was put on the disabled list with a sore right forearm. He is 1-0 with a 3.14 mark in three games &#8212; two starts &#8212; at Fenway Park.<br /><H3>LINEUPS</H3><br />
<TABLE class="table-content"><br />
<THEAD><br />
<TR><br />
<TH>Dodgers</TH><br />
<TH>Red Sox<br /></TH></TR></THEAD><br />
<TBODY><br />
<TR><br />
<TD class="nesn">Matt Kemp, CF<br />Russell Martin, C<br />Andre Ethier, RF<br />Manny Ramirez, DH<br />James Loney, 1B<br />Casey Blake, 3B<br />Garret Anderson, LF<br />Jamey Carroll, SS<br />Blake DeWitt, 2B<br /></TD><br />
<TD>Marco Scutaro, SS<br />Dustin Pedroia, 2B<br />David Oriz, DH<br />Kevin Youkilis, 1B<br />Victor Martinez, C<br />Adrian Beltre, 3B<br />Bill Hall, RF<br />Daniel Nava, LF<br />Darnel McDonald, CF</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><br />
<h3>STAT SHEET</h3>
<p><strong>Red Sox</strong>
<ul>
<li>Boston is 10-2 in its last 12 home games, outscoring opponents 87-43 and batting .340.</li>
<li>David Ortiz slugged his 274th home run in a Red Sox uniform Friday, tying Manny Ramirez for fifth on the team&#8217;s all-time list. <strong>Dwight Evans</strong> is next with 379.</li>
<li>Outfielder <strong>Darnell McDonald</strong> is 5-for-6 (.833) as a pinch-hitter this year.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dodgers</strong>
<ul>
<li>First baseman <strong>James Loney</strong> is hitting .485 (16-for-33) with 10 RBIs in his last eight games.</li>
<li>Right fielder <strong>Andre Ethier</strong>, who entered the series leading the NL in hitting at .339, went 0-for-5 on Friday for the first time all season. He is 0-for-9 in his last two games.</li>
<li>Ramirez is a career .315 hitter in Fenway.</li>
</ul>
<h3>BLACK AND BLUE</h3>
<p><strong>Red Sox</strong>
<ul>
<li><strong>Daisuke Matsuzaka</strong> will throw a three-inning simulated game Saturday. He is on the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm strain but may be ready to start again by Thursday in Colorado.</li>
<li>Outfielder <strong>Jeremy Hermida</strong> was placed on the 15-day disabled list June 11 after an MRI revealed five fractured ribs, the result of a collision with third baseman Adrian Beltre one week earlier.</li>
<li>An MRI conducted June 9 revealed a new fracture in outfielder <strong>Jacoby Ellsbury</strong>&#8216;s ribs. Ellsbury, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 28 for the second time this year, went to the Athletes&#8217; Performance center in Arizona last week for at least two weeks of rest and recovery.</li>
<li><strong>Josh Beckett</strong> is expected to throw long toss soon and may finish the session with 10 pitches from a mound. Beckett remains on the DL with a lower back strain.</li>
<li>Infielder <strong>Jed Lowrie</strong> remains on the DL after coming down with mononucleosis during spring training.</li>
<li>Righty <strong>Junichi Tazawa</strong> underwent Tommy John surgery in March. He is out for the year.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dodgers</strong>
<ul>
<li>Right-hander <strong>Chad Billingsley</strong> went on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain, retroactive to June 12.</li>
<li>Shortstop <strong>Rafael Furcal</strong> was placed on the bereavement list Thursday.</li>
</ul>
<h3>OUTLOOK</h3>
<p>Now that the Manny mania is over with, it will be easier to concentrate on baseball, a sport the Sox are owning right now.</p>
<p>Boston has the best record in baseball since April 20 (37-19) and has cut 7 1/2 games off its deficit in the division in less than four weeks. The Dodgers, meanwhile, are losers of five of seven and below .500 on the road.</p>
<br />  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/nesncom.wordpress.com/61996/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/nesncom.wordpress.com/61996/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=61996&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://nesn.com/2010/06/tim-wakefield-boston-look-to-improve-to-92-in-interleague-play/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/b57f3c4bd8cf62e5f63240bf073a678b?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">nesnstaff</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/6a0115709f071f970b013484a7170c970c.jpe" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Tim Wakefield, Boston Look to Improve to 9-2 in Interleague Play with Win Over L.A.</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Red Sox Look to John Lackey to Halt Two-Game Skid as Phillies Come to Fenway</title>
		<link>http://nesn.com/2010/06/red-sox-look-to-john-lackey-to-halt-twogame-skid-as-phillies-come-to-fenway/</link>
		<comments>http://nesn.com/2010/06/red-sox-look-to-john-lackey-to-halt-twogame-skid-as-phillies-come-to-fenway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tony Lee</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Boston Red Sox]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eastern Bank Leading Off]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Game]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[MLB]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preview]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tony Lee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Top Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://nesncom.wordpress.com/2010/06/11/red-sox-look-to-john-lackey-to-halt-twogame-skid-as-phillies-come-to-fenway/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[When the Red Sox took two of three at Philadelphia last month, it sent the Phillies into an offensive tailspin from which they have not recovered. John Lackey, who actually struggled in his outing against the Phillies in that series, will look to keep the two-time defending NL champs down when he gets the call [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=62690&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>
<a href="http://nesn.com/2010/06/red-sox-look-to-john-lackey-to-halt-twogame-skid-as-phillies-come-to-fenway.html"><img src="http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/6a0115709f071f970b0133f0ca7738970b.jpe" alt="Red Sox Look to John Lackey to Halt Two-Game Skid as Phillies Come to Fenway" style="width: 400px;margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px" /></a> When the Red Sox took two of three at Philadelphia last month, it sent the Phillies into an offensive tailspin from which they have not recovered.
</p>
<p><strong>John Lackey</strong>, who actually struggled in his outing against the Phillies in that series, will look to keep the two-time defending NL champs down when he gets the call for Boston.</p>
<p>Since Lackey&#039;s start in the opener of that series in Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia has scored an average of 2.3 runs in 17 games. The Phils have been shut out six times in that stretch, including Thursday at home against Florida.</p>
<p>The Sox are coming off back-to-back losses in Cleveland. <strong>Daniel Bard</strong> blew a save in Thursday&#039;s 8-7 setback. </p>
<h3>WHEN AND WHERE</h3>
<p>Phillies (31-27) at Red Sox (35-27)<br />Friday, June 11, 7:10 p.m. <br />Fenway Park, Boston<br />
<h3>HEAD TO HEAD</h3>
<p>The Sox have won 16 of the last 21 meetings between the teams.<br />
<h3>PITCHING MATCHUP</h3>
<p><strong>LHP Jamie Moyer (6-5, 3.98 ERA) vs. RHP John Lackey (6-3, 4.72 ERA)</strong></p>
<p>Lackey has won his last two decisions and five of his last seven overall. He allowed two runs in seven innings of a game the Sox eventually lost in extra innings Sunday in Baltimore.</p>
<p>In that outing, the big righty walked three and struck out just two, continuing a season-long pattern of rising walk totals and sinking strikeouts totals. In his last five starts, Lackey has issued 18 free passes while fanning just 14. Included in that stretch was a rocky outing in Philadelphia on May 21. In a 5-1 loss to the Phils, Lackey gave up four runs and walked five in five innings.</p>
<p>Moyer, on the other hand, has walked only 14 in 72 1/3 innings all year and continues to amaze at the age of 47. He is coming off the 33rd complete game of his career, a 6-2 win over San Diego six days ago.</p>
<p>Moyer, who pitched in 23 games for the Red Sox in 1996, is 6-12 with a 6.57 ERA against Boston, the worst mark he has against any major league team.<br />
<h3>LINEUPS</h3>
<p><em>Lineups will be posted approximately four hours before first pitch.</em><br />
<h3>STAT SHEET</h3>
<p><strong>Red Sox</strong>
<ul>
<li>The Sox have won or split 13 of their last 16 series.</li>
<li>Designated hitter <strong>David Ortiz</strong> is hitting .091 (3-for-33) in June after posting a .363 mark in May.</li>
<li>Reliever <strong>Manny Delcarmen</strong> has given up five hits and four walks in two innings over his last three outings.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Phillies</strong>
<ul>
<li>With his complete-game win last Saturday, Moyer became the third pitcher in baseball history to win 100 games after turning 40.</li>
<li>Ace <strong>Roy Halladay</strong> made his 300th career start Thursday.</li>
<li>Second baseman <strong>Chase Utley</strong> is hitting .172 (5-for-29) in June and has not homered since May 20.</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: bold"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: bold"></span></p>
<h3>BLACK AND BLUE</h3>
<p><strong>Red Sox</strong>
<ul>
<li>An MRI revealed a new fracture in outfielder <strong>Jacoby Ellsbury</strong>&#039;s ribs, team officials announced Thursday. Ellsbury, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 28 for the second time this year, will head to the Athletes&#039; Performance center in Arizona for at least two weeks of rest and recovery.</li>
<li>First baseman <strong>Kevin Youkilis</strong> left Thursday&#039;s game with mild back spasms.</li>
<li><strong>Josh Beckett</strong> still has yet to throw since having a bullpen session cut short May 28. He may get a chance to throw Saturday, but that is tentative. Beckett is on the DL with a lower back strain.</li>
<li>Infielder <strong>Jed Lowrie</strong> continues to try to work back from mononucleosis. </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Phillies</strong>
<ul>
<li>Shortstop <strong>Jimmy Rollins</strong> is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment June 14. He has been on the DL twice this year with a right calf strain.</li>
<li>Lefty <strong>J.A. Happ</strong> is on a rehab assignment of his own as he tries to work his way back from left forearm soreness.</li>
<li>Right-handed reliever <strong>Ryan Madson</strong> has begun to throw long toss. He went on the DL in late April with a broken right big toe.</li>
</ul>
<h3>OUTLOOK</h3>
<p>Following a pair of ugly losses in Cleveland, the Sox could use some interleague play. They are 129-103 against NL teams, and while the Phillies have been considered the cream of the crop in the senior circuit, they come in searching for some offensive punch and have struggled mightily against Boston over the years.</p>
<p>It could offer up a great chance for the Sox to put the past two days behind them.</p>
<br />  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/nesncom.wordpress.com/62690/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/nesncom.wordpress.com/62690/" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=nesn.com&#038;blog=38215605&#038;post=62690&#038;subd=nesncom&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://nesn.com/2010/06/red-sox-look-to-john-lackey-to-halt-twogame-skid-as-phillies-come-to-fenway/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/b57f3c4bd8cf62e5f63240bf073a678b?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">nesnstaff</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/6a0115709f071f970b0133f0ca7738970b.jpe" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Red Sox Look to John Lackey to Halt Two-Game Skid as Phillies Come to Fenway</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
