For the second day in a row, the Red Sox will split up to play both a home and road game. This time, they hope the weather cooperates.
One of the team’s split-squad games on Sunday — at Toronto in Dunedin — was rained out. The other resulted in a 10-7 home loss to Houston in a game which was cut short in the middle of the eighth due to a violent storm that swept through Fort Myers.
To bridge the gaps until Boston plays just one game per day again, Boof Bonser and Michael Bowden will be the Red Sox’ two starters on Monday.
WHEN AND WHERE
Rays vs. Red Sox
1:05 p.m. ET, March 22, 2010
City of Palms Park, Fort Myers, Fla.
Red Sox vs. Cardinals
1:05 p.m. ET, March 22, 2010
Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla.
RECORDS
Rays (12-6)
Cardinals (6-10)
Red Sox (9-9)
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sox are 0-3 against the Rays, including a 7-0 loss last Tuesday in Port Charlotte.
Their one meeting with the Cardinals was a dramatic affair. In that game back on March 8, Boston pitchers took a no-hitter into the seventh before losing the lead in the eighth.
Shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias slugged a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth and Che-Hsuan Lin had an RBI single in the ninth to cap a 7-6 Red Sox win.
LINEUPS
Red Sox (vs. Rays)
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, LF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. J.D. Drew, RF
7. Adrian Beltre, 3B
8. Mike Cameron, CF
9. Marco Scutaro, SS
Rays
1. Jason Bartlett, SS
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Carlos Pena, 1B
5. Ben Zobrist, CF
6. Pat Burrell, RF
7. Hank Blalock, DH
8. Sean Rodriguez, 2B
9. Kelly Shoppach, C
Red Sox (vs. Cardinals)
1. Bill Hall, SS
2. Josh Reddick, CF
3. Jeremy Hermida, LF
4. Tug Hulett, 2B
5. Anthony Rizzo, DH
6. Dusty Brown, C
7. Aaron Bates, 1B
8. Angel Sanchez, 3B
9. Pete Hissey, RF
PITCHING MATCHUP
Tampa Bay vs. Boston
RHP James Shields (1-0, 1.04 ERA) vs. RHP Boof Bonser (0-1, 7.20 ERA)
Boston vs. St. Louis
RHP Michael Bowden (0-0, 3.18 ERA) vs. RHP Kyle Lohse (0-1, 4.22 ERA)
Boof Bonser could use a few good innings. His spring has been rather lackluster as he battles back from a season lost to shoulder surgery. However, the club appreciates how far he’s come and is hoping to see a nice outing.
Michael Bowden figures to get a start or two before he is sent to the minor league camp, although a spot in the Boston bullpen remains a possibility.
The Red Sox are very familiar with James Shields, who is 3-7 with a 5.32 ERA in 12 career starts against Boston.
STAT SHEET
Red Sox
Mike Cameron is hitting .391 with a team-high six walks. He slugged his first home run in a Red Sox uniform Sunday against Houston.
Closer Jonathan Papelbon had thrown six scoreless innings before giving up five earned runs in 1/3 inning Sunday.
Dustin Pedroia had four RBIs on Sunday and is now tied with infielder Gil Velazquez for the team lead this spring with seven.
Rays
Second baseman Sean Rodriguez is batting .405 with five home runs and 12 RBIs.
First baseman Carlos Pena is just 2-for-27.
Reliever Grant Balfour is 0-1 with an 11.12 ERA.
Cardinals
Of Colby Rasmus‘ 10 Grapefruit League hits, six have gone for extra bases. He also leads St. Louis with both 12 strikeouts and 11 walks.
Meanwhile, Skip Schumaker has one extra-base hit in 40 at-bats.
Starter Chris Carpenter has given up 10 runs on 18 hits in nine innings, but has a stellar 10-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
BLACK AND BLUE
Red Sox
Papelbon allowed five earned runs in 1/3 inning Sunday after suffering from a migraine.
Daisuke Matsuzaka reported no issues with his neck or back after a 32-pitch session in an intrasquad scrimmage Sunday at the minor league complex.
Rays
Catcher Dioner Navarro said he will be ready by Opening Day after suffering a bruised shin in a collision at home.
Reliever J.P. Howell is out with shoulder weakness.
Cardinals
Outfielder Matt Holliday may return Monday from a rib-cage injury.
Shortstop Julio Lugo is dealing with a strained groin.
OVERHEARD
“I feel I’m gradually getting closer and closer to the real thing.”
–Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka after his eight-batter outing at the minor league complex Sunday
PRESS BOX
Red Sox
Has the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry lost its luster?
Boston gets back Jorge Jimenez, a Rule 5 pick.
Rays
Promising starter Wade Davis is struggling with a dead arm.
A solid look at B.J. Upton.
Cardinals
Is star outfielder Matt Holliday set to return?
Adam Ottavino will get a look as a reliever.
MLB
Joe Mauer is a very rich man.
The realignment debate is heating up.
OUTLOOK
J.D. Drew, Adrian Beltre and Bill Hall are among those who made the trip to Dunedin before yesterday’s rainout, so they should be in the lineup behind Bonser.
Bowden will be among a slew of minor leaguers that manager Terry Francona has already said he is sending to Jupiter. With John Lackey starting at the minor league complex, it figures to be a busy day with plenty to watch for.
