Andrew Miller had his second rough outing in three starts Tuesday, allowing seven runs (five earned) on a season-high nine hits in 3 2/3 innings of work. He walked two batters and allowed a pair of home runs. Miller (4-1, 5.45) lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Tampa Bay July 15, allowing seven runs on five hits. His poor performance as of late is one of the reasons Boston was so actively pursuing starting pitchers Ubaldo Jimenez and Hiroki Kuroda as the trade deadline approaches. Miller will look to get back on track Sunday as the Red Sox take on Mark Buehrle and the White Sox.
Buehrle (8-3, 3.22) has been the epitome of consistency this season. A six-inning performance Monday in which he did not allow an earned run, the hefty left-hander marked his 15th consecutive outing in which he surrendered no more than three earned runs. Buehrle has lasted at least six frames in all, but one of those starts. He’ll face a challenge in extending those streaks, as current Red Sox batters have hit Buehrle pretty well in their careers.
David Ortiz has arguably the best numbers against the Chicago starter of any Red Sox batter. Big Papi brings a .339 batting average, two home runs, nine double and 11 RBIs in 59 at-bats. Saying that, Jason Varitek, Carl Crawford, Marco Scutaro, Dustin Pedroia, Darnell McDonald and Jacoby Ellsbury all enter the game with higher batting averages than Ortiz. All of those hitters listed above, excluding McDonald have at least two extra-base hits against Buehrle as well. Mike Aviles, who may be making his Red sox debut, has two doubles and three RBIs in 31 career at-bats against the 12-year veteran.
White Sox batters have very little experience against Miller. Veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who hit a two-run home run in Friday’s game, is 2-for-4 with a double against the sixth-year hurler. Speedy outfielder Juan Pierre enters the game 2-for-3 with a triple. Miller’s biggest foe, however, will likely be himself, as he has walked 17 batters in the last four games, while striking out only four.
Red Sox vs. Buehrle
David Ortiz (63 plate appearances): .339 BA/.381 OBP/.539 SLG, 2 home runs, 9 doubles, 11 RBIs, 4 walks, 8 strikeouts
Jason Varitek (37): .353/.405/.529, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts
Carl Crawford (35): .400/.400/.457, 2 doubles, 5 RBIs, 5 strikeouts
Mike Aviles (34): .258/.324/.323, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts
Marco Scutaro (22): .389/.455/.556, 3 doubles, 2 RBIs, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts
Dustin Pedroia (14): .385/.429/.538, 2 doubles, 1 walk
Kevin Youkilis (14): .273/.357/.273, 3 RBIs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts
Darnell McDonald (10): .667/.667/.667, 1 strikeout
Jacoby Ellsbury (7): .571/.571/1.000, 1 double, 1 triple
Jarrod Saltalamacchia is hitless in three plate apperances against Buehrle.
Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Reddick and Drew Sutton have not faced the White Sox starter.
White Sox vs. Miller
Paul Konerko (7): .167/.286/.167, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
Adam Dunn (6): .000/.333/.000, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts
A.J. Pierzynski (4): .500/.500/.750, 1 double
Juan Pierre (3): .667/.667/1.333, 1 triple
Gordon Beckham, Alejandro de Aza, Tyler Flowers, Brent Lillibridge, Brent Morel, Carlos Quentin, Alexei Ramirez, Alexis Rios and Omar Vizquel have not faced the Red Sox starter.