Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays
7:10 PM ET, June 16, 2011
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
Stellar starting pitching on both sides has highlighted the first two games of this week's series between Boston and Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field. That trend could continue with Clay Buchholz opposing David Price in the decisive finale.
Two of the majors' top young pitchers meet when the AL East rival Red Sox and Rays conclude their series Thursday night.
One night after Tampa Bay's James Shields tossed a five-hitter in a 4-0 victory to snap Boston's season-high nine-game winning streak, Josh Beckett answered for the Red Sox with a one-hit gem in Wednesday's 3-0 victory.
Boston (40-27) has a 1 1/2-game lead over New York, and is 4 1/2 ahead of third-place Tampa Bay (36-32), which has alternated wins and losses in its last 10 home contests.
"That's why I think this (race) is going to go back and forth," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I don't see one team running away and hiding at any point."
Two of the majors' top young pitchers meet when the AL East rival Red Sox and Rays conclude their series Thursday night.
One night after Tampa Bay's James Shields tossed a five-hitter in a 4-0 victory to snap Boston's season-high nine-game winning streak, Josh Beckett answered for the Red Sox with a one-hit gem in Wednesday's 3-0 victory.
Boston (40-27) has a 1 1/2-game lead over New York, and is 4 1/2 ahead of third-place Tampa Bay (36-32), which has alternated wins and losses in its last 10 home contests.
"That's why I think this (race) is going to go back and forth," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "I don't see one team running away and hiding at any point."
Watch Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Live Stream Online Free MLB June 16, 2011
