Red Sox Series Preview: R2 Vs. Athletics

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Jun 3, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics third baseman Brett Lawrie (15) hits an RBI double in the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The battle of the dead-last teams begins, tonight!

The Boston Red Sox (24-31) host the Oakland Athletics (23-33) in Fenway Park for the next three games. The Red Sox sputtered to a 3-7 record in the last ten games, including losing the last two matches to the Minnesota Twins. Boston’s 12-14 home record will not send much fear into the hearts of Athletics fans.

Especially when the Athletics are red-hot. They’ve been on a four-game winning streak, to put their record to 7-3 in their last 10 games. To have a 14-16 record in away games isn’t startling, by any means, but it also means that they can handle the pressure of opposing fans.

Which team will claw their way out of their respective division cellars with a series win? Maybe both. Maybe neither. Let’s look at the tale of the tape:

** All statistics come from MLB.com

Jun 2, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching Matchups @ Red Sox (Fenway Park)

June 5th @ 7:10 PM ET

Scott Kazmir (2-3, 2.93 ERA) vs. Wade Miley (4-5, 4.97 ERA)
Is this even going to be close? Kazmir is more of a trade target for the Red Sox than he is anything else, according to some baseball experts. He had to miss a start, recently, because of left shoulder tightness, but will be perfectly fine against Boston, today. The fact that Kazmir has lost his last three starts has nothing to do with him and everything to do with the Athletics’ inability to score runs, lately. Kazmir has only allowed five runs in his last three games.
Will the real Wade Miley please stand up? After two games, where he allowed a combined three runs in 15 innings, earning two wins, Miley threw four innings where he allowed five runs on nine hits for a loss.

June 6th @ 4:05 PM ET

Jesse Chavez (2-5, 2.11 ERA) vs. Joe Kelly (1-4, 5.83 ERA)
Apparently, Chavez suffers from lack-of-run-supportitis, just like Kazmir. The righty from California has only allowed a combined three runs in his last three appearances, striking out 16 opposing bats and walking only three in 22 innings. Yet, Chavez picked up the loss twice, even in a game where he didn’t allow an earned run in eight innings, against the Detroit Tigers.
The cure for the trending disease for the Athletics’ starting pitchers could be the feast that the Oakland hitters could have against Kelly. Sandwiched between a two-run game and a single-run performance was the game where Kelly allowed seven earned runs on eight hits in just 1.2 innings against the Twins.

June 7th @ 1:35 PM ET

Kendall Graveman (3-2, 5.56 ERA) vs. Clay Buchholz (3-6, 3.82 ERA)
Oakland’s righty from Alabama has pitched well for them, since being brought over from the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor system. In his last three appearances, he’s pitched the sixth inning each time, allowing a combined six runs, six walks, and 11 strikeouts.
After a slow start, Buchholz has been on fire on the mound, although his win-loss record doesn’t reflect it. In his last three appearances, he’s combined for four runs, five walks, and 16 strikeouts in 22.2 innings of work. Buchholz was also the topic of conversation by some experts to be supported as a possible All-Star for the Red Sox. While that talk may be premature, at least he can have the critics get off of his back, finally.

May 31, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt (21) high fives center fielder Billy Burns (1) after batting him in on a two run home run against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Athletics’ Key Players To Watch:

Even though his batting average was only .250 in the last seven games, catcher Stephen Vogt led the team with six RBIs. His .370 on-base percentage made up for the lack of hits, in recent games, as well. Vogt’s 11 home runs and 39 RBIs for the season make him a threat in any game.

Third baseman Brett Lawrie must look at his bat as if it was made of wood from a tree that was hit by lightning. He’s hit .409 in the last seven games, with a .435 OBP and a .682 slugging percentage. He has cashed in four RBIs, but he has also struck out six times, to lead the team in that category in that same stretch. As long as Red Sox pitchers don’t offer Lawrie fat pitches, look for him to strike out or awkwardly smack the ball much like he did last season, when he struggled at the plate for the Blue Jays.

Center fielder Billy Burns has made an impact for Oakland, hitting .406 with 13 hits, a home run, and five RBIs in his last seven games. He even has three stolen bases, making him a threat on the bases as well as on defense in the outfield. Being a switch-hitter, Burns may pose a danger to the Red Sox starting rotation in the series.

Jun 3, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) hits a double during the third inning in game two of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox’ Key Players To Watch:

As the lead man in the Red Sox batting lineup, second baseman Dustin Pedroia has led by example, in the last seven games. With 10 hits and a .355 OBP, Pedroia has done the job that was asked of him. And more, judging by his home run and two RBIs.

The real hot-hand has been shortstop Xander Bogaerts. After a dismal 2014, Bogaerts has done a great job at the plate, hitting .524 in his last seven games and .298 for the season. With only one strikeout and two stolen bases, recently, Bogaerts is doing everything that he can to put pressure on opposing pitchers and set the table for the veterans to cash him home.

After a fiery start, followed by a heavy slump, left fielder Hanley Ramirez has recently found a bit of that spark, again. He’s hit a home run and four RBIs and stolen two bases in his last seven games, helping to try to fix the lackluster offense.

May 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) pitches the ball against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Predictions:

Game One Winner – Oakland Athletics
Game Two Winner – Oakland Athletics
Game Three Winner – Boston Red Sox

Buchholz will be too much for the Athletics, the way that he’s been pitching as of late. It would take Kazmir’s arm to really give him problems for him not to overcome the Red Sox batters. There is hope for Boston if Kazmir’s shoulder allows him only to pitch half of the frames, so that the bullpen comes into the game. Hope of Miley or Kelly pitching great games, on the other hand, has become more of a game of roulette: anything could happen, so be careful about betting on red.

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