Both clubs are sending a trio of top-notch hurlers to the hill, setting the stage for nonstop excitement all weekend in Tampa Bay.
But which matchup is going to be most intriguing? Jon Lester (13-8, 3.26 ERA) takes on fellow lefty ace David Price (15-5, 2.97 ERA) in Friday night's opener. Lester is coming off his worst outing of the season in which he allowed nine earned runs in just two innings against the Blue Jays. Price is winless in three of his last four starts, but has only allowed nine earned runs in those games, which totaled 24 innings.
Clay Buchholz (15-5, 2.26 ERA) will take on Matt Garza (13-7, 3.62 ERA) in Saturday's contest in a matchup of arguably the AL's top righty in Buchholz and one of the league's 2010 no-hit hurlers in Garza. Garza is 7-3 in his last 10 starts against the Sox while Buchholz is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA in his last three starts.
In Sunday's finale, John Lackey (12-7, 4.51 ERA) takes on James Shields (12-11, 4.76 ERA). Lackey is 2-0 with a 3.91 ERA in has last three starts while Shields is going for his third straight shutout.
What is the most intriguing pitching matchup of the series? Text 'SOX1' to 542542 for Lester/Price. Text 'SOX2' to 542542 for Buchholz/Garza. Text 'SOX3' to 542542 for Lackey/Shields.
