Red Sox-Athletics Pitching Matchups: Porcello Looks To Keep Rolling
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Red Sox head west as they continue their 10-game road trip, starting a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics late Monday night.
While the Red Sox and Athletics have played some pretty good series in the past, these are two teams who are really struggling in the early-goings of the season. The Red Sox own the worst record in the American League for the month of May at 2-7, with the Athletics just one game better at 3-7.
To make matters worse, the Red Sox have lost 21 of their last 27 games in Oakland. Here are the pitching matchups for the upcoming three-game set between the Sox and A's:
Monday, May 11 -- 10:05pm
Rick Porcello (3-2, 4.38 ERA) vs. Scott Kazmir (2-1, 2.75 ERA)
Porcello is looking to keep his scoreless inning streak going (it stands at 12 innings) and is aiming for his third straight win. But the Boston righty hasn't enjoyed much success in Oakland.
As a member of the Detroit Tigers, Porcello went 1-4 with a 5.40 ERA in six starts against Oakland, with the A's hitting .341 against him in those games. Oakland's DH Billy Butler has enjoyed the most success against Porcello, going 19-for-47 with four doubles, a homer, and nine RBI against him in his career.
As for Kazmir, this may be a showcase for the Oakland lefty. He's been mentioned in numerous trade rumors, with the Red Sox among the many teams interested in his services. After going 15-9 with a 3.55 ERA in 32 starts last season, Kazmir was off to another good start by allowing just three earned runs in four April starts. He's struggled a bit in the second month of the season though, allowing nine earned runs in 12 innings to start May. He was hit hard for six earned runs in six innings in a 13-0 loss to the Twins his last time out.
But as it's been noted numerous times over the last few weeks, the Red Sox aren't very good against lefties this season:
Key Matchup: Dustin Pedroia vs. Kazmir
Pedroia is 19-for-38 in his career against Kazmir, clubbing five doubles, two homers and driving in five runs against the lefty. He's also worked nine walks and has a 1.438 OPS against Kazmir.
Tuesday, May 12 -- 10:05pm
Justin Masterson (2-1, 5.18 ERA) vs. Drew Pomeranz (1-3, 5.12 ERA)
Masterson is looking to bounce back after lasting just 4.1 innings against the Rays last week, but he's has never had very much fun pitching against the Oakland Athletics. He's 2-7 in his career against the A's, including an 0-5 record and 6.27 ERA in Oakland.
Opposing Masterson is 26-year-old lefty Drew Pomeranz, who hasn't won since his first start of the season. He went just 4.1 innings his last time out (sound familiar?) against the Twins, allowing six runs (four earned) off three hits and five walks.
Key Matchup: Josh Reddick vs. Masterson
Reddick is hitting .316 on the season with five homers and 22 RBI (second on Oakland), but hasn't swung a very good bat against Masterson. He's just 5-for-23 in his career against the Sox righty with five strikeouts. However, two of his five hits did leave the yard, so he's got a knack for taking Masterson deep.
Wednesday, May 13 -- 3:35pm
Wade Miley (1-4, 6.91 ERA) vs. Sonny Gray (4-0, 1.65 ERA)
The A's close out the series with their ace on the mound, while the Red Sox are just hoping their starter can pitch into the fifth inning.
Miley wasn't terrible his last two times out, allowing three runs in six innings and four runs over seven innings, respectively, but received no run support and was tagged with losses in each of those outings. He did surrender solo homers in the first and second inning his last time out in Toronto, putting Boston in an early hole they couldn't climb out of.
Meanwhile, Gray continues to be one of the best young arms in baseball. He's allowed just four earned runs in his last 27.2 innings pitched, striking out 32 batters in that span. Opponents are batting just .194 against Gray over his first seven starts of the season.
Key Matchup: Billy Butler vs. Miley
The Oakland DH is 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBI in his career against Miley.
