Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Boston Red Sox
4:10 PM Saturday June 19 – FOX
Pitching Probables: Vicente Padilla vs. Tim Wakefield
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What a nice treat on a Saturday afternoon. These storied franchises rarely connect and haven’t faced off since 2004 when Boston took two of three. The only starting pitcher still with either team from that series is Tim Wakefield who gets the start today. He is not enjoying a very good season but predicting his performance game to game is as difficult as predicting where his knuckler will go. Despite his struggles the Red Sox have been fantastic lately after a slow start. They have already caught the Jays and are getting closer the Yanks and Rays. They are 5-1 in this recent stretch of inter-league play and the resurgence of David Ortiz has made the lineup much more dangerous. This team leads the majors in runs per game at more than 5.5.
The Dodgers were playing some very good ball until they ran into the Angels and got swept. They are middle of the pack in terms of scoring and pitching and Padilla is trying to round into form after some time on the DL. He hasn’t been very effective this year overall but he is striking out more than a batter per inning. Looking at his days in the AL Padilla has been marginally effective against the Red Sox. Some batters he has befuddled (Marco Scutaro .167) while others have thrived (Victor Martinez .429). The key will be keeping the park in the yard as he has given up homers in every outing this year. Playing at Fenway won’t help much in that regard.
The odds makers have the Red Sox as 1-½ favorites with a run total of 10 ½.
Prediction: I don’t see a classic pitchers duel but I think Wakefield and Padilla will throw quality starts. I think this game will be one in the final at bat by the home team.
Score Prediction:
Boston Red Sox – 4
Los Angeles Dodgers – 3
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