Game 74: Red Sox at Phillies (3/3)

Boston Red Sox: 45-29
Philadelphia Phillies: 42-31

Justin Masterson (3-1 2.90 ERA, 0-0 --- ERA)
Kyle Kendrick6-2 4.54 ERA, 0-0 --- ERA)

Projected lineups

Ellsbury CF N/A
Pedroia 2B N/A
Drew RF N/A
Ramirez LF N/A
Lowell 3B N/A
Youkilis 1B N/A
Lugo SS N/A
Cash C N/A
Masterson P

Rollins SS N/A
Victorino CF N/A
Utley 2B N/A
Howard 1B N/A
Burrell LF N/A
Jenkins RF N/A
Dobbs 3B N/A
Coste C N/A
Kendrick P

I said the offense would have to put up eight runs again last night, and I was dead wrong. Moyer issued a few too many free passes, and that led to a high pitch count that got him out of the game early. Otherwise, he and the bullpen did a nice job. Only allowing three runs should be good enough to win most games, but it's impossible to win a baseball game without scoring any.

Masterson has a heavy sinker, so he's the kind of guy that could give the Phillies problems if he's on. The lineup needs to re-break out and send a message to the rest of the league. They can compete with the Sox, hopefully Angels and the better teams in the league. Put up some runs today and take a series from the Sox for the first time in a while.

Game 73: Red Sox at Phillies (2/3)

Boston Red Sox: 44-29
Philadelphia Phillies: 42-30

Jon Lester (5-3 3.43 ERA, 0-0 --- ERA)
Jamie Moyer (7-3 4.12 ERA, 6-11 6.69 ERA)

Projected lineups

Ellsbury CF N/A
Pedroia 2B N/A
Drew RF 1/4, .250/.250/.250
Ramirez LF 17/57, 10 HR, 20 RBI, .340/.421/1.000
Lowell 3B 2/3, .667/.667/1.000
Youkilis 1B 2/6, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .333/.556/1.000
Varitek C 8/32, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .250/.333/.406
Lugo SS 7/14, 2 RBI, .500/.500/.786
Lester P

Rollins SS N/A
Victorino CF N/A
Utley 2B N/A
Howard 1B N/A
Burrell LF N/A
Werth RF N/A
Feliz 3B N/A
Coste C N/A
Moyer P

Last night was a great win, and the offense is going to have to put up another 8 spot tonight. Jamie Moyer has not had a good career against Boston, and I don't expect him to reverse that trend tonight. He's having a good year, but their lineup just has too many patient players for his tricks to work. I can't imagine J.D. Drew or Manny swinging out of their shoes or lunging at pitches off the plate. They're going to wait for a mistake and hit it.

Cole Hamels was not intimidated by the World Champs last night. He went right after their lineup, and he used three pitches effectively to keep them off balance all night. "I believe we're destined to play each other in the World Series," Hamels said. "We can compete with them any day of the week." That's the kind of confidence you like to hear from your best pitcher. He's not going to back down from anyone or any challenge.

Game 72: Red Sox at Phillies (1/3)

Red Sox: 44-28
Phillies: 41-30

Bartolo Colon (4-1 3.41 ERA, 1-1 4.00 ERA)
Cole Hamels (6-4 3.27 ERA, 0-0 --- ERA)

Projected lineups

Ellsbury LF N/A
Pedroia 2B N/A
Drew RF N/A
Lowell 3B N/A
Youkilis 1B N/A
Varitek C N/A
Crisp CF N/A
Lugo SS 2/3, 2 HR, 3 RBI, .667/.667/2.667
Colon P

Rollins SS 3/12, 1 RBI, .250/.308/.333
Victorino CF N/A
Utley 2B N/A
Howard 1B N/A
Burrell LF 3/13, 2 RBI, .231/.286/.385
Jenkins RF 2/5, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .400/.500/1.000
Feliz 3B 2/7, .286/.286/.429
Ruiz C N/A
Hamels P

The second round of interleague begins a series later than everyone else for the Phillies, and it's no easy task. Boston rolls into town with the best record in the American League, and they've won 12 out of their last 16 games. They're not without problems though; Ortiz and Matsuzaka are still on the DL, and Manny Ramirez might miss some more games with a hamstring injury.

With Cole Hamels on the mound tonight, the Phillies need to get the series off to a fast start. Their ace is on the mound, and this might be the most winnable game of the three game set. With the exception of Lugo, they haven't seen him yet, so Hamels should be able to keep them off balance.