Tim Wakefield will again take the mound looking for career win number 200 Wednesday night against the Indians.
Wakefield was solid in his last attempt at number 200, pitching seven innings of three-run ball against the Chicago White Sox. But the Red Sox lineup, lacking Adrian Gonzalez, could score only one run against Gavin Floyd. Tonight, the Sox will have their full lineup in place--including Marco Scutaro, back after a spell of dizziness--hoping to give Wakefield the support he needs against Carlo Carrasco.
Boston Red Sox (67-41)
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Kevin Youkilis, 3B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
- Josh Reddick, RF
- Marco Scutaro, SS
- Ezequiel Carrera, CF
- Jason Kipnis, 2B
- Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
- Travis Hafner, DH
- Carlos Santana, 1B
- Kosuke Fukudome, LF
- Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
- Austin Kearns, RF
- Lou Marson, C
Pitching Matchup: Tim Wakefield (6-4, 5.06 ERA) vs. Carlos Carrasco (8-9, 4.67 ERA)
Tim Wakefield is no stranger to a lack of run support--it seems to plague his seasons more often than not--but after winning two games in which he allowed seven runs each, it was a bit odd that he'd lose the start where he allowed only three runs in seven innings. But the Red Sox do seem to have been in feast-or-famine mode often enough of late, so it might not really matter terribly if Wakefield can hold the Indians to three runs or to five.
A wide arsenal of pitches and a tendency to get ahead in the count have served Carlos Carrasco well enough in his first full Major League season. If the Red Sox can get deep into at-bats and work the count against Carrasco, however, the 24-year-old could fall apart, especially against Boston's veteran left-handed hitters.