Red Sox v. Blue Jays

Here are the expected pitching matchups for this weekend's three-game series at Fenway Park between the Red Sox and Blue Jays as well as some random thoughts on the Old Towne Team.

Friday: Josh Beckett (5-7, 4.44) v. Aaron Laffey (1-1, 3.38)
Saturday: Aaron Cook (2-2, 3.34) v. Carlos Villanueva (4-0, 2.68)
Sunday: Jon Lester (5-7, 4.80) v. Henderson Alvarez (5-7, 4.29)

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Cody Ross pimped another home run over the Green Monster last night in the 9th inning and it provided the Red Sox with an emotional 3-1 walk-off win over the White Sox.

Ross has proved to be Ben Cherington's best offseason acquisition and has given the Red Sox some much needed pop from the right side of the plate.

In 63 games this year, Ross has 16 home runs and 50 RBI while posting a respectable .274/.348/.570 triple slash.  In a lineup that is dominated by left-handed hitters, his right-handed power provides balance and his home run and RBI totals are amongst the best on the team.

The win was the team's fifth in seven tries since the All-Star break and Ross' walk-off shot has a chance to provide the team more momentum as they chase a playoff spot.

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Clay Buchholz, who started the year off in terrible fashion (8.69 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in his first five starts) and missed time with esophagitis, has quickly turned his season around in June and July.

In four June starts he was unbeaten while posting a 2.40 ERA and 1.00 WHIP and in two July starts is 0-1 with a 3.14 ERA and 0.77 WHIP.  For the year he is 8-3, 5.19 ERA, and 1.43 WHIP.

Last night Buchholz got a no-decision (and would have been a hard luck loser without Ross' heroics) despite pitching 8 innings and allowed just one run on six hits while striking out six.

As I have written several times, the fate of the 2012 Red Sox rests on the shoulders of Buchholz, Jon Lester, and Josh  Beckett.  If Buchholz continues his recent run of success and Lester and Beckett pick up their own games, this team is capable of making noise come September and October.

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Enjoy Adrian Gonzalez tonight.