Boston took two from Minnesota at Fenway Park on the strength of back-to-back pitching gems. Jon Lester tossed a complete-game six-hitter in Thursday's 6-2 win.
With a victory the Sox would move three games above .500 for the first time all season. To get there they may need a strong effort from John Lackey, who has struggled a bit of late.
Cole Hamels goes for the Phillies, who split a pair with the Chicago Cubs this week.
WHEN AND WHERE
Red Sox (22-20) vs. Phillies (25-15)
Friday, May 21, 2010, 7 p.m.
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
HEAD TO HEAD
The Sox are 9-3 in their last four trips to Philadelphia.
PITCHING MATCHUP
RHP John Lackey (4-2, 4.86 ERA) vs. LHP Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.29 ERA)
Lackey had been on a bit of a roll before giving up 11 runs in 13 innings over his last two starts. Normally a control pitcher, he walked seven in those outings, including four in a 5-1 loss at Detroit on Sunday.
The right-hander has faced the Phillies just once, but it was a beauty. In 6 1/3 innings, he allowed only a run on five hits while striking out eight.
Hamels has won his last two starts for Philadelphia. He gave up two solo shots and not much more in a 6-2 win at Milwaukee on Sunday.
Like Lackey, the 26-year-old won his only meeting with the Sox, giving up two runs in seven innings.
LINEUPS
| Red Sox | Phillies |
|---|---|
|
Marco Scutaro, SS Dustin Pedroia, 2B Victor Martinez, C Kevin Youkilis, 1B J.D. Drew, RF Adrian Beltre, 3B Bill Hall, LF Darnell McDonald, CF John Lackey, P |
Jimmy Rollins, SS Placido Polanco, 3B Chase Utley, 2B Ryan Howard, 1B Jayson Werth, RF Raul Ibanez, LF Shane Victorino, CF Carlos Ruiz, C Cole Hamels, P |
STAT SHEET
Red Sox
- Catcher Victor Martinez tied a career high with three doubles on Thursday night.
- Kevin Youkilis has reached safely in 20 straight games. He is 24-for-64 (.375) with five homers and 14 RBIs in that span.
- Boston has homered in 15 of its last 20 games.
Phillies
- Philadelphia starters have a 3.05 ERA this month.
- The Phillies are 20-8 against right-handers.
- Default closer Jose Contreras has thrown 9 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.
BLACK AND BLUE
Red Sox
- Shortstop Marco Scutaro had a cortisone shot in his left elbow on Wednesday. He could return as early as Friday.
- Right-hander Josh Beckett was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday with a lower back strain.
- Left fielder Jacoby Ellsbury went 3-for-4 with a double and a stolen base in a rehab game on Thursday with Double-A Portland. There is no immediate word on when the Sox will activate him. Ellsbury has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 18 with rib injuries.
- Center fielder Mike Cameron, also out since April 18 with an abdominal strain, went 1-for-4 with Portland on Thursday. He will play center field with the Sea Dogs on Friday.
- Righty Boof Bonser allowed two runs on four hits in 4 1/3 innings Monday in his fifth rehab start for Pawtucket.
Phillies
- Closer Brad Lidge received a cortisone shot earlier this week as he works his way through right elbow inflammation.
- Reliever Ryan Madson had surgery on a broken toe earlier this month.
- Lefty J.A. Happ is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday as he recovers from a left forearm strain.
- Catcher Brian Schneider is expected to start a rehab stint in the minors Friday. He is on the DL with a left Achilles strain.
OUTLOOK
The Sox have owned the series with their National League rivals in recent years, but go into this one with a few question marks. Scutaro has missed two straight games with an ailing elbow, Cameron and Ellsbury have yet to return and the club essentially carries two designated hitters into a park that doesn't allow them.
Sounds like a good time for Lackey to break out of his mini-slump. Lackey is 11-4 in interleague play.
