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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 7:48 am
BOSTON -- Two American League East rivals with very different immediate goals clash when the Boston Red Sox play host to the Tampa Bay Rays for three games at Fenway Park this weekend.For the Red Sox, the goal is to win another series, which would be their third straight, and hit the All-Star break very much in contention to contend for another last-to-first scenario.For the last-place Rays, the aim is to just try to win games. Perhaps even two straight at some point. That hasnt happened since a three-game winning streak June 12-15.The Red Sox (46-38) closed a 10-16 June by losing two of three to the floundering Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla. They then came home for a nine-game homestand and won two of three against the Los Angeles Angels -- including a 21-2 loss -- before doing the same against the Texas Rangers, who have the best record in the AL.Boston is three games behind the first-place Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.Weve played much better baseball except for the one game this month, Red Sox manager John Farrell said after his team won the rubber match of a three-game series with Texas on Wednesday night. Its nice to get back to back series wins.The last-place Rays, meanwhile, have won only one other game in their last 22 besides the two they captured against the Red Sox, the 3-19 run representing the worst stretch in franchise history. They ended their homestand with a 5-1 loss to the Angels on Thursday, dropping three of four (the last three) in that series while falling deeper into the abyss.Tampa Bay (34-51) leads the season series 4-2.Two pitchers hoping to build on significant outings last Sunday square off in Friday nights series opener.Tampa Bays Chris Archer (4-11, 4.50 ERA) hasnt won since June 6, but he worked 5 2/3 scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. He loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning and then struck out three straight en route to a 10-strikeout effort.Cant help but feel really good about what Chris Archer did today, Rays manager Kevin Cash said Sunday. For the way it started, and the way he kicked it in gear and kind of showed us the Archer that we know hes very capable of being. That was an outstanding effort, outstanding performance.On the same day, a day after Boston was pummeled by the Angels, Sean OSullivan came up from Triple-A Pawtucket and gave the Red Sox what they needed -- five-plus innings of two-run ball, both runs scoring after the left with two runners on.It earned the veteran journeyman at least this last start before the break, with Clay Buchholz demoted to the bullpen for the second time this season.That was, Id say, one of the highlights of my career for sure, OSullivan said Sunday of receiving an ovation while leaving the Fenway Park mound.He is 13-23 on his big-league journey -- 0-2 in two career starts against Tampa Bay, but the second of those was in 2010.The Red Sox have won all three of his starts, and all have come at Fenway.Archer has had a terrible time of it against Boston, going 1-8 with a 5.67 ERA in 13 starts lifetime, 0-2 this season.David Ortiz, whose bat flip after a 2014 homer evoked verbal criticism from the young right-hander, is 12-for-31 (.387) with two homers and 15 RBI against him, while Xander Bogaerts is 6-for-16 and Hanley Ramirez and Travis Shaw both 3-for-7. Mookie Betts has two homers in his four hits against Archer.The Red Sox will have a new face for the game after acquiring Aaron Hill from the Milwaukee Brewers for two minor-leaguers on Thursday. Hill figures to serve as a reserve across the infield. Scarpe Vans Offerte Online . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Vans Scarpe Italia . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. http://www.vansitalia.it/ .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. Vans Scarpe Vendita Online . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. Scarpe Vans Scontate Online . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. The 2014 AFL grand final is burned into the minds of every Sydney player who took part, even though many would like to forget the loss.The Swans find themselves in a somewhat similar position to 2014, when they were listed as favourites to defeat Hawthorn throughout grand-final week.John Longmires side were minor premiers and boasted imposing form and immense confidence ahead of that grand final, which capped Lance Franklins first season at the club.But the Swans were humiliated at the MCG, suffering a 63-point loss.It was a little while ago but theres definitely an element that sits in your stomach and still frustrates you, Dan Hannebery said.Hannebery was one of many Swans to have their colours lowered two years ago but the gifted on-baller at least had a 2012 premiership medallion to help console himself with.Jake Lloyd wasnt so lucky.It still hurts a lot ... it was obviously heartbreaking, Lloyd said.Theres going to be a lot of players that played in 2014 running out on Saturday. Im sure it will be in the back of all their minds. Nobody wants a repeat of what happened.Unpicking the lessons that needed to be learned from 2014, when the Swans produced one of their worst games of the season at the worst possible time, is difficult.There is no single reason why they were outclassed so clinically but many players believe the sense of occasion contributed and they were guilty of getting carried away in grand-final week.We probably soaked it up a little bit too much and just took it for granted and thought that the Hawks were going to hand it to us, Luke Parker reflected.Im sure it will be a different mindset (against Western Bulldogs).ddddddddddddLongmire was philosophical when asked about the prospect of redemption, noting almost half the team had changed in the ensuing two years.Youre a product of your experiences - good, bad or otherwise ... whats relevant is what happens this week, Longmire said.But even newcomers Xavier Richards and Zak Jones have clear memories of the 2014 decider. It was Richards first time setting foot on the hallowed MCG turf, while it was the first grand final Jones watched from the stands.Hannebery suggested it was up to the clubs leaders to help their inexperienced teammates negotiate the week ahead.Weve got a completely different group now, more younger players and a lot who are in their first finals series, he said.Its just about making sure they remain calm and continue to train and play the same way.Meanwhile, injured trio Jarrad McVeigh, Aliir Aliir and Callum Mills will need to train well on Wednesday to convince Longmire they should be picked for the grand final.Mills is considered the most likely of the three to be passed fit.Hell train fully we expect on Wednesday. Provided he gets through that hell be available for selection, football manager Tom Harley told the club website on Tuesday.SYDNEY SWANS RETURNING TO AFL GRAND FINAL AFTER FEATURING IN 2014 LOSS: Lance Franklin, Heath Grundy, Dan Hannebery, Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy Jake Lloyd, Ben McGlynn, Jarrad McVeigh, Luke Parker, Dane Rampe, Gary Rohan, Nick Smith, Kurt Tippett. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '