Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 6/24

Jon Lester (L), Paul Maholm (R)

After losing their final two games at home, the Boston Red Sox are on the road for a three city, nine-game trip through the National League. The trip begins tonight at PNC Park in Pittsburgh as they’ll take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of a three-game set.

Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Pirates television market, you can catch the game on ROOT Sports. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

After failing to get an MLB-best 10th win in his last start, Jon Lester will try again in his 16th start of 2011. In his previous 15 starts, Lester is 9-3 with a 3.70 ERA. Tonight will mark his first career start against the Pirates. Lester is 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA in two interleague starts this year. In his career, Lester is 8-3 with a 3.02 ERA in 15 interleague starts.

Paul Maholm makes his 16th start of the season for skipper Clint Hurdle. In his previous 15 starts, Maholm is 3-8 with a 3.29 ERA. He’s never faced the Red Sox in his career. He is 0-2 with a 4.63 ERA in two interleague starts this season. In his career, Maholm is 4-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 17 intereleague starts.

Click on the read more button below to see tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.

Here are tonight’s lineups:

44-30		37-37
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Jose Tabata	LF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Chase d’Arnaud	3B
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Andrew McCutchen	CF
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Neil Walker	2B
5. Darnell McDonald	LF	5. Matt Diaz	RF
6. Mike Cameron	RF	6. Lyle Overbay	1B
7. Jason Varitek	C	7. Ronny Cedeno	SS
8. Marco Scutaro	SS	8. Michael McKenry	C
9. Jon Lester	P	9. Paul Maholm	P