Jul 1, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Dan Haren (15) throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Pitching Matchups:
Tuesday July 7: Dan Haren (6-5, 3.45) vs. Wade Miley (8-7, 4.53)
Haren leads the Marlins with a 3.45 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He is 1-5 with a 4.08 ERA in six career starts at Fenway in his career (2-7, 3.41 ERA overall vs. Boston). The right hander, originally a pick of the St. Louis Cardinals (and pitched for them against the Red Sox in the 2004 World Series) is on his fourth team in as many seasons. His last start against the Red Sox was May 3, 2011 while a member of the Los Angeles Angels. Haren took the loss in that game, allowing four runs over seven innings. He is winless over his last 5 starts (0-3, 4.06), during which the team has given him just 12 runs of support.
Miley is looking to bounce back from an extremely shaky five inning performance vs. Toronto in which he walked seven batters (as many as his previous four starts combined). He only secured the win by getting eight runs in the first inning from his offense. Since his brief tantrum in the dugout in Baltimore on June 11, he has posted a 3-1 record with 3.04 ERA over 23.2 innings pitched with only one home run allowed in that span.
Wednesday July 8: Tom Koehler (7-4, 3.52) vs. Rick Porcello (4-9, 6.08)
Koehler will be making the first appearance of his career vs. the Red Sox. The six foot three inch right hander, former 18th round draft choice, has won his last three starts. Against the American League East this season, he is 2-1, with a 3.15 ERA. He beat the Yankees and Orioles and lost to the Blue Jays who touched him up for three home runs and five earned runs over 6.2 innings.
Porcello has been one of the worst starters in the major leagues. He is 0-7, posting an 8.18 ERA over his last eight starts. The Red Sox managed to win the other game in which he did not get a decision. In three of those losses, winning streaks of at least two games were halted. Porcello’s last win at home came against Tampa Bay on May 5. The team is hoping the return of catcher Ryan Hanigan with whom Porcello had a 3.79 ERA in three starts early in the season, can help Porcello turn his season around.