Game 17: The New Schilling

In the recent past, there was no Red Sox pitcher more fun to rough up than Curt Schilling. Every time that loud mouth took the hill, all I’d think was, “Please, A-Rod, take him deep.” (This in light of Schilling’s comments three and a half years ago.)

But with Schilling on the DL for at least half — and possibly all of — the season, we need a new whipping boy. Enter Josh Beckett. If we’re going to pick on a Red Sox pitcher, it might as well be their best one. We did get to him for 13 runs in 26.2 innings last year, and 21 runs in 20 innings in 2006. He wasn’t exactly at his best last time out, either, giving up 3 runs in 6.2 IP just five days ago.

One can only pray that Moose pitches like he did on Saturday. The last thing we need right now is another long performance from the bullpen. You figure Albaladejo, Traber, and Farnsworth could each go an inning (maybe two for Alb), plus Mo — though I wonder what kind of shape his arm is in after appearing in two straight games and warming up for a third. I guess we’ll see in the later innings.

No Matsui today. Looks like Girardi has set his rotation and is sticking with it. Matsui doesn’t have great career numbers against Beckett, though I doubt that was a consideration in this decision.

Your lineup:

1. Johnny Damon, LF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Jason Giambi, 1B
6. Jorge Posada, DH
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Melky Cabrera, CF
9. Chad Moeller, C

And on the mound, number thirty-five, Mike Mussina.

And those damn Red Sox:

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Ortiz
ManRam
Youkilis
Drew
Varitek
Casey
Lugo