The 2011 Major League Baseball season continues this week, with a showdown between fierce rivals New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox the highlight over the next couple of days.
Tampa Bay Rays at Texas Rangers (August 31)
The Rays (2.240) will send James Shields (12-10, 2.96 ERA) to the hill on Wednesday night as they continue their road series down in Arlington against the Rangers (1.758).
Right-hander Shields is coming off a strong outing against the Blue Jays in Toronto, surrendering just one run on seven hits over nine innings and fanning 12.
Alexi Ogando (12-6, 3.57 ERA) will be looking to bounce back from a rocky start as he heads to the mound for the Rangers against the Rays on Wednesday night.
The right-hander didn't have his best stuff against the Red Sox last time out, getting lit up for six runs on six hits over just four innings in the loss.
Match Odds: Tampa Bay Rays (2.240), Texas Rangers (1.758)
Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners (August 31)
Dan Haren (13-7, 3.19 ERA) will be trying to turn it around on Wednesday night as he heads to the hill for the Angels (1.901) in their road matchup against the Mariners (2.050).
Haren was pulled early from his start in Texas last time out, surrendering seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits in just 4 1-3 innings in a loss to their rivals.
The Mariners counter with Felix Hernandez (12-11, 3.37 ERA), coming fresh from a win over the Indians (two runs in six innings pitched).
Hernandez has gone 0-1 with a no-decision over two starts against the Angels so far this season, allowing four runs on 10 hits over 15 innings.
Match Odds: Los Angeles Angels (1.901), Seattle Mariners (2.050)
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (September 1)
The Yankees (2.490) and Red Sox (1.629) close out their three-game series at Fenway Park on Thursday night, with Jon Lester (14-6, 3.09 ERA) getting the start for Boston.
Lester managed to pick up a win in each of his last three outings for the Red Sox, but he lost to New York when he last faced them at home back on August 5th. A.J. Burnett (9-11, 5.31 ERA) is slated to start for the Yankees on Thursday, but he's also in danger of losing his spot in the team's rotation thanks to recent efforts.
Burnett is coming off back-to-back losses against the Twins and Orioles, getting pounded for a combined 16 runs on 14 hits in just 6 2-3 innings in those two games.
Match Odds: New York Yankees (2.490), Boston Red Sox (1.629)
Round-Up
The league-leading Phillies (1.599) close out their series in Cincinnati against the Reds (2.570) this week, with matches on both Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.
Wednesday sees Philly's Cliff Lee (14-7, 2.71 ERA) head to the hill, with the left-hander set to face off against Reds lefty Dontrelle Willis (0-3, 4.10 ERA).
Thursday's matinee match-up then has Vance Worley (9-1, 2.65 ERA) getting the ball for the Phillies, while Mike Leake (11-8, 4.04 ERA) pitches for Cincinnati.
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