Red Sox, June 12th-14th

American League rival and perennial power Boston Red Sox are coming into Philly for a weekend interleague series. Expect many members of Red Sox Nation to come with them. The Sox are coming in off a series with their hated rival as well, sweeping the Yankees in three games. Unlike the Mets, the Red Sox are healthy with the exception of their speedy CF Jacoby Ellsbury who is out with an injured shoulder (video)(UPDATE: Ellsbury may return to the lineup tonight). Sox all-star DH David Ortiz has struggled all year hitting only .203 with 4 home runs (3 of which have come in the past week). Considering the Sox have a pretty decent 1B in Kevin Youkilis (.350, 10 HR, 37 RBIs) don't expect to see much of Ortiz. Boston also features All-Stars Jason Bay (LF) and Dustin Pedroia (2B). J.D. Drew is their RF so get your batteries ready.

Unfortunately for the Fightins', the Sox are throwing their three best pitchers in this series starting off with one of the best in the game, Jon Lester. After surviving cancer, Lester has come back to pitch incredibly well for the Sox over the last two years. On May 19th of last year, Lester tossed a no-hitter at Fenway against Kansas City. Mitch Williams has said "I'm really not sure how anyone hits him." Lester is 5-5 on the season with a 5.09 ERA, but don't let numbers fool you. This guy can pitch. Saturday (I''ll be there!) sees Dice-K take the hill. Dice-K has been a disappointment for the most part since his arrival from Japan. This season he is only 1-4 with a 7.33 ERA. Sunday Josh Beckett will pitch for the Sox. Consistently one of the best pitchers in the game, he currently has a 7-2 record with a 3.77 ERA and 76 K's in 76.1 IP. Of course there is also that guy who closes games, Jonathan Papelbon who has 16 saves, tied for second best in MLB.

Batting Leaders

Avg.: Kevin Youkilis, .350

HR: Jason Bay, 16

RBI: Jason Bay, 57
Hits: Jacoby Ellsbury, 71

Runs: Dustin Pedroia, 46

SB: Jacoby Ellsbury, 23

Pitching Leaders (Starters and Relievers)

W: Tim Wakefield, 8

ERA: Ramon Ramirez, 1.86

IP: Josh Beckett, 76.1...Tim Wakefield has 76.0

K: Jon Lester, 85

Saves: Jonathan Papelbon, 16

HR (given up): Jon Lester, 11