First Pitch: 6:10 PM CDT
TV: Fox Sports North
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Over the Monster
Lester has been one of Boston's better starters this season, averaging six innings per start and striking out more than a batter per inning. Just like most of the Red Sawks staff, however, he does have issues with control and walks. It's almost as if he'd rather walk you, given the choice between the free pass and giving the batter something to hit.
It's hard to believe this is already Lester's fifth year spending time in the Majors, but he's established a solid track record. This season he's getting a few more grounders (54.6% of balls in play) and a few less fly balls (26.2%), but in spite of the higher walk rate isn't seeing more base runners. Part of this could be chalked up to the new defensive focus of the club, but part of it is also that Lester doesn't really have a bad pitch. His fastball sits mid-90's and sets up a very good cutter, and his breaking and off-speed pitches are both a plus in their own right. He gets quite a few swinging strikes.
Liriano's been a horse for the Twins, racking up quality starts and blanking offenses as he goes. Like Lester he's a strikeout pitcher, but this season he's also shown the ability to control his pitches (the fastball in particular) and avoid getting himself into trouble.
Boston has a good offense, but hopefully getting blanked over seven innings the first time around this season is fresh in their minds and Liriano can keep them off balance. Just like with Baker last night, this is a team that will make Liriano get them out. They'll work counts, and if Cisco starts missing his spots and they smell blood, it could be trouble.
On the plus side, the Sox are sitting the hot hand tonight. David Ortiz is known to struggle against southpaws at times, so we get Mike "How Am I Still Here" Lowell instead.