The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox meet for Game 2. Down 0-1, the Rays will attempt to tie the series at 1-1 and they have the right man on the mound. When time does Game 2 take off? Where can you watch the game? Check out the Rays, Red Sox TV schedule.
Game Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel- Where to Watch?: TBS
Dun dun duuuun! It's David Price taking the hill for the Rays. Yes, the same Price who pitched a dominant Game 163 on Monday takes the mound in another pressure situation. The Rays cannot go down 0-2, though the series shifts back to the Trop. Price pitched a complete game against the Texas Rangers, allowing just two earned runs on seven hits.
The Red Sox have not had luck against Price in 2013. In five starts against Boston, Price has a 2-2 record with a 2.48 ERA. Check this, he's allowed nine earned runs in 32.2 innings. Four of those nine earned runs came in one start, which he lost. However, his second lost was not deserved. Price went eight innings, allowing only two earned runs on three hits, while recording nine strikeouts. He was out pitched by Clay Buchholz. However, the Rays are in the clear as Red Sox's manager, John Farrell, decided to start John Lackey.
Lackey has been rocked by the Rays in 2013. He's 0-2 in his two starts against Tampa Bay this season with an 8.10 ERA, surrendering nine earned runs in 10 innings pitched. He's given up 19 hits in these two starts, Price has given up 19 hits in total in his five starts against the Red Sox.
Why have Lackey take the ball in Game 2 instead of securing the victory with Buchholz, who has been the better pitcher?
The answer is simple, Lackey's performance at home has been amazing, posting a 6-3 record with a 2.47 ERA in 13 starts at Fenway Park. On the road? It's two runs higher, sitting at 4.48 and a 4.10 record. Might as well keep Buchholz on the shelf until the Red Sox hit Tropicana Field. Buchholz has been lights out in 2013 and if the Red Sox win this game, they can take a 2-0 series lead.
