Former AL West Foes John Lackey, Tim Hudson Set to Make Spring Training Debuts

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Mar 2, 2011

Former AL West Foes John Lackey, Tim Hudson Set to Make Spring Training Debuts Back in the day, John Lackey and Tim Hudson squared off a handful of times during some years when Lackey's Anaheim Angels and Hudson's Oakland A's were fighting for supremacy in the American League West.

That was a long time ago. On Wednesday at City of Palms Park, they will be two veterans just looking to start their spring training on the right foot.

Lackey was downright dominant last spring, looking extremely comfortable in his first days in a Red Sox uniform. Once the regular season started, there were some ups and downs and a long period of adjustment for him.

Seemingly, he has found that comfort zone once again and is primed to be the staff leader in innings and starts once again, a goal he has set for himself.

Lackey will be followed by Kyle Weiland, Alex Wilson, Scott Atchison and Hideki Okajima.

Hudson, 35, is coming off one of the finest seasons of his career. He was 17-9 with a 2.83 in 34 starts with Atlanta last season.

The visit from the Braves marks their first to City of Palms Park without Bobby Cox at the helm. Cox managed the club from 1990 (three years before Boston moved to its Fort Myers home) until his final season in 2010.

When and Where

Braves vs. Red Sox
1:05 p.m.
City of Palms Park, Fort Myers, Fla.

Pitching matchup

Tim Hudson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. John Lackey (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Hudson always struggled against the Red Sox when he faced them more regularly. He is 3-9 with a 6.26 ERA lifetime vs. Boston. Lackey has only faced the Braves once in his career. Kyle Weiland, Alex Wilson, Scott Atchison, Hideki Okajima and Clevelan Santeliz are also expected to get some work in for the Sox.

Lineups

Braves Red Sox
Martin Prado LF
Jordan Schafer, CF
Jason Heyward, RF
Dan Uggla, 2B
Eric Hinske, DH
Alex Gonzalez, SS
Freddie Freeman, 1B
David Ross, C
Ed Lucas, 3B

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
David Ortiz, DH
J.D. Drew, RF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Jason Varitek, C
Lars Anderson, 1B
Nate Spears, 3B

Did you know?

Josh Reddick, the best hitter for the Red Sox throughout spring training 2010, already leads the team in hits, RBIs and total bases.

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