Tonight at 6:10 p.m. the Tampa Bay Rays (62-43) will head over to Boston and historic Fenway Park to take on the American League East leading Red Sox (63-43), who are up a mere half game on Tampa. The game can be live streamed here; Rays fans can listen in to the action on WDAE 620, while Boston fan can do the same on WEEI 93.7.
The Rays will take their shot at usurping the AL East pole position with ace David Price (5-5 3.75 ERA) on the mound. After a shockingly bad start to the season that culminated in an extended disabled list stint, Price has rebounded and performed like the pitcher everyone thought he was.
In the month of July Price is 4-1, with an ERA of 1.71 and three complete games on his ledger. He has whiffed 27 opposing hitters and walked just one, posting a 0.78 WHIP in that span.
"I didn't know what to expect when he came back," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It's just hard to imagine a guy pitching better than he is now. I don't think I've seen it in regards to quality of pitches and stuff, location against a good hitting ballclub."
Price should be a tough test for the Red Sox lineup, who rely on designated hitter David Ortiz to bring the thunder in the middle of the order. Ortiz was 4-for-4 in a win over the Orioles on Sunday, but may not fare so well against the flame-throwing lefty. He will need to keep his emotions in check as well, after an embarrassing blowup got him ejected on Saturday.
"You've got to make sure you don't get out of your game," Ortiz said. "Sometime when you get excited it gets worse. Just go out there like I normally do."
The Red Sox will counter Price with their young right-hander Felix Doubront (7-4, 3.86 ERA).
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