May 16, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher
Rick Porcello(22) throws during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Pitching Matchups @ Red Sox (Fenway Park):
May 22nd @ 7:10 PM ET;
- Garrett Richards (3-2, 2.29 ERA) vs. Rick Porcello (4-2, 4.26 ERA)
- In his last five games, Richards has not given up more than two runs, in an average of seven innings per outing. For the season, Richards has only given up a single home run. Maybe that fact will change, once Richards steps into Fenway Park.
- Porcello’s last four starts have been exactly what the Red Sox needed, winning three of them in the process. While he has struck out just over five batters a game, in that stretch, Porcello has controlled the damage with groundballs for his defense to clean up for him.
May 23rd @ 7:15 PM ET;
- C.J. Wilson (2-2, 3.06 ERA) vs. Steven Wright (1-1, 4.02 ERA)
- It hasn’t been all shampoo commercials and smiles for Wilson, in recent years, but he has done well in his last five starts. That is, until his game against the Blue Jays, where he gave up 10 hits and four runs in five innings in Toronto. The lefty will look to rectify that mistake, and regaining the form he showed previously, against Boston.
- Filling in for Justin Masterson, who is on the disabled list, Wright has pitched two solid games, giving up a combined five runs in 10.2 innings of work. He has eight strikeouts to four walks in that span. However, those performances were against weaker competition from the American League West division in the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners. The Angels will be a much bigger task to tackle, as Wright looks to keep his team in the game, for the Boston bats to come alive.
May 24th @ 1:35 PM ET;
- Hector Santiago (3-2, 2.25 ERA) vs. Wade Miley (3-4, 5.10 ERA)
- After allowing four runs to the San Francisco Giants, Santiago has only given up two runs in three starts. The lefty has a 2.84 ERA in away games, compared to 1.86 at home, making him prime for another San Francisco treat in Boston, if the Red Sox’ righty bats can handle him.
- After a roller-coaster of a start to the season, Red Sox Nation is hoping that Miley is finally settling down. In his last two starts, Miley threw a combined 12 innings, allowing only two runs, while striking out eight opposing bats, in that span. If Miley can continue keeping the ball low, the aggressive bats of the Angels should provide him with a number of groundouts and strikeouts to keep his team in the game.