(Best E Casino) - Josh Beckett hopes to pitch the
Boston Red Sox into the postseason for the fifth time in the last six years this evening when they open a four-game series with the
Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park.
Boston needs just a win or a loss by the New York Yankees to lock up a playoff berth.
On Sunday, the Red Sox clinched at least a tie for the final playoff spot, as David Ortiz belted a two-run homer and Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched seven shutout innings, helping Boston to a 3-0 victory at Rogers Centre.
Jacoby Ellsbury went 3-for-4 with a triple, two doubles and a pair of runs scored for Boston, which ensured no worse than a playoff for a wild card berth with just its second win in five games.
The New York Yankees beat Baltimore on Sunday to keep alive the possibility that the Yankees and Red Sox would be tied for the wild card spot at season's end.
Boston is also just 1 1/2 games back of the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.
Beckett, meanwhile, has been terrific since returning from the disabled list, but has just one win in those three starts, despite pitching to a 0.95 earned run average in those outings.
He did not get a decision on Tuesday versus Tampa, surrendering a run and three hits in eight innings of a 2-1 loss. Beckett is 12-9 on the year with a 3.96 ERA.
Beckett has faced the Indians four times, posting a 1-3 mark to go along with a 6.57 ERA.
Cleveland will counter with young lefty Zach Jackson, who is 0-3 with a 6.35 ERA. Jackson, acquired from Milwaukee as part of the CC Sabathia deal, did not get a decision on Tuesday against Minnesota, as he allowed seven runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 frames of a 12-9 win.
Jackson has faced the Red Sox just one other time in relief, giving up a hit in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Cleveland moved over .500 this weekend, as it swept a three-game set from the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. The Tribe completed the trick on Sunday, as Ryan Garko went 4-for-4 and drove in five runs to carry Cleveland to a 10-5 win.
Victor Martinez had a pair of hits, recorded an RBI and scored three times in the 2008 home finale for the Indians, who won their sixth straight game overall.
Scott Lewis (3-0) allowed eight hits and three runs over five innings to win for the third time in as many major league starts. Lewis, selected in the third round of the 2004 draft out of the Ohio State, also had six strikeouts and three walks.
The victory allowed the Indians to move above .500 (78-77) for the first time since May 17 (22-21).
Boston has won both of its matchups with the Indians this season after taking five of seven meetings between them last season. Of course, the Red Sox also beat the Tribe in seven games of last year's ALCS en route to their second World Series title in four years.
