Boston Red Sox vs Pittsburgh Pirates April 13 Game Preview
The Boston Red Sox will host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday to makeup their postponed game from last week’s season opening series.
The Boston Red Sox split a two-game series 1-1 with the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway over the last two days. The Red Sox offense looks to have come alive, but Steven Wright’s horrific outing Wednesday doomed the home team.
Boston dropped to 4-4 to start the year, in third place in the division behind the 5-4 Rays and 5-2 Orioles.
The Red Sox have plenty of season left to turn it around, so for those Sox fans that are going nuts over a 4-4 start, RELAX! It’s early. We’ve had health issues. Things will get better.
Pittsburgh returns to Fenway Park for a single game to makeup for the rainout that occurred last week. The Red Sox will then face the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game series at home.
The Pirates come into Boston with a three-game losing streak in which they were outscored 22-5 by the Reds. Their manager is remaining positive however.
"“We get to go to Fenway Park,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said after the Wednesday loss. “Who can complain about a job that takes you to Fenway Park?”"
Pitching Matchup
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Chad Kuhl (1-0, 3.60 ERA) vs Eduardo Rodriguez (0-1, 7.20 ERA)
These same two pitchers were slated to take the mound last Thursday before the game was rained out. Both 24-year-olds will be on the hill today in hopes of earning a win for their club.
The Red Sox will need Rodriguez to go deep as the bullpen was beat up last night. Starter Steven Wright recorded just four outs before the relievers took over. Boston may look to call up a reliever, perhaps Robbie Ross Jr.
Key Players
Boston Red Sox: 2B, Dustin Pedroia
Stats: .310, 5 RBI, 2 BB
Dustin Pedroia has been on a tear as of late. In Tuesday’s 8-1 win, Pedey drove in four of Boston’s runs. He will look to continue his hot streak to help get the Red Sox above .500.
Pittsburgh Pirates: SP, Chad Kuhl
Stats: 1-0, 5.0 IP, 3.60 ERA, 5 SO, 6 BB
Chad Kuhl has never faced the Boston Red Sox, and Boston’s lineup can be intimidating. Kuhl will look to earn win number 2 on the season, but to do so he will have to keep the Sox from crushing balls over the monster.
The Bottom Line
Boston should win their fifth game of the year. Pittsburgh’s offense has been inefficient, and Boston (for the most part) seems to have found their offensive stride. If ERod can go 6 or 7 innings deep, the bullpen should be rested enough to close things out.
Next, Boston will host division rival Tampa Bay for a four-game showdown over the weekend.