5 Padres, 1 Red Sox

Yesterdays game was frustrating, it was rainy, John Lackey was on the mound, he gave up a leadoff home run to Will Venable and then after another rain delay, Lackey came out to pitch the fourth and lost control. He walked a couple, hit a couple more, and looked completely frustrated out there. After giving up four runs in the inning, Terry Francona decided enough was enough and pulled him.

It sucked, at least Adrian Went 4 for 4

Padres @ Red Sox Preview

The Sox and Padres are playing a day game today, and that could be very good news for the Sox who have been a very good "day" team all year. I was dissapointed the Sox didn't come back last night. They almost did, and that was easily a pitcher they should've beat, but you can't win every game.

Today we get Clayton Richard vs. John Lackey. People keep saying, "Hey, John Lackey has been much better lately", but has he really. Sure, he has won his last 3 games, but he also has an ERA of 5.03 ERA. The Sox have just happened to score a total of 28 runs during those game. Maybe that's really all we can expect from Lackey, so hopefully the Sox score a shit load of runs.

I am amazing that Clayton Richard is only 27 years old. I remember him from back in his White Sox days. Last year, he won 14 games, which is pretty impressive, but this year has been tough as he is 2-9 with an ERA of 4.35. Then again, we would kill for Lackey to have an ERA like that. Amazing what an offense can do for you.

Richard has lost five straight decision for the Padres, posting a 3.79 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings pitched over his last six outings. He is a decent pitcher that really shouldn't be 2-9. I think the Sox will beat him up, but Lackey blows, so this one could be tight.

Red Sox win 7-6
Player of the Game: Youk
Game starts at 1:35pm

5 Padres, 4 Red Sox

Alfredo Aceves couldn't find any type of command and the Red Sox offense couldn't bail him out.

Aceves walked 4 straight Padres in the 2nd and had a total of 6 in the game. The Sox tried to come back in the 6th and tied the game at 4 all, then San Diego scored in the seventh off of Wheeler(L, 0-1) and held on to the 5-4 lead for the remainder of the game.

Positives: Youk had a great game going 4-for-5 game with a double and RBI. And we got good production from Marco Scutaro and Josh Reddick at the bottom of the order.

Since the Yankees got rained out we still are up 1 game on them.

Padres @ Red Sox Preview

Josh Beckett was scratched from his scheduled start on today due to what manager Terry Francona dubbed "intestinal turmoil." Basically Beckett is busy pooping himself to make the start. That means Aceves will get the start tonight against Mat Latos.

Latos is a douche, because who spells Mat with one "t"? Beyond that he isn't very good posting a 4-8 with a 4.06 ERA, but he's 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in two career interleague road starts.

I like Aceves and I think he is good enough to get the Sox the win tonight. To be honest, I could be out there right now and the Sox would probably score enough runs to win. San Diego is a shit team going 1-9 in their last 10 and losing their last 6 straight.

Red Sox win 11-4
Player of the Game: Gonzalez
Game starts at 7:10pm

14 Sox, 5 Padres

It's hard to say anything negative against the Sox now a days.

In Andrew Millers debut, the kid did real well 5.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 6 K. Those 3 runs were off one mistake pitch to Orlando Hudson who promptly hit a 3 run bomb. Although he didn't factor in the decision, he at least gave me confidence going forward with him. Matt Albers got the decision and improved his record to 2-3 and the Sox put 3 other relievers out there.

Adrian Gonzalez finished the night 3-for-5 with a double and 3 RBI, man he is just so good. Youk and Papi both went 2-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI. McDonald and Cameron were the only two Sox starters to not record a hit.

This is the 9th time in the last 30 games the Red Sox scored more than 10 runs in a game. The Sox have now won 13 of 15 games an remain 1.5 games ahead of the Yankees.

Padres @ Red Sox Preview

The Sox are rolling even though they are dealing with a rash of injuries. Although the Sox are playing one of the worst teams in the MLB I am extremely interesting in this game. For the first time Andrew Miller will be pitching for the Red Sox. There is a ton of hype for this kid going into tonight.

For those who don't know Miller was drafted in 2006, 6th overall by the Detroit Tigers, but had been a disappointment (1-5 with an 8.78 ERA in seven starts for Florida in 2010). The Sox brought him in this offseason and have played with his mechanics resulting in some impressive minor league stats (3-3 with a 2.47 ERA in 13 games for Triple-A Pawtucket). It is also being said that his fastball is topping out at 98 MPH. I am very interested to see what this kid can do, and if he is worth all the hype he has been getting around here.

On top of that I want to see Rizzo, who is one of the prospects the Sox traded for Gonzalez. He had been crushing the ball in the minors, but is only batting .148 since getting called up (10 games).

Wade LeBlanc is starting for the Padres. He is 0-2 with a 4.26 ERA, and is 1-3 with a 7.46 ERA in six interleague starts in his career. With the way the Sox are swinging the bat, that could be rough.

Red Sox win 9-3
Player of the Game: Gonzalez
Game starts at 7:10pm