ALCS Game Five: Boston Red Sox Face Must-Win Situation as Tampa Bay Rays Look to Punch World Series Ticket

After winning the first game of the ALCS the Boston Red Sox have dropped three straight to the Tampa Bay Rays, including the last two at home, and now face a must win situation when the two clubs meet for the final time at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox will be sending Game One winner Daisuke Matsuzaka to the hill in hopes he will replicate his previous performance in which he no-hit the Rays for six innings along the way to earning a 2-0 victory. The Rays have opted to go with Game Two starter Scott Kazmir who struggled in his last outing, allowing five runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Matsuzaka posted an 18-3 record with a 2.90 ERA in the regular season and was 9-3 at home. He also posted a 12-1 record in night games. While Matsuzaka struck out nine in his seven inning Game One effort he also walked four, including three in the first inning. He’ll be looked upon to keep the Rays of the bags on Thursday night as the Red Sox offense tries to find an answer to a Fenway slump.

Kazmir was 12-8 with a 3.49 ERA in the regular season but was roughed up a bit in his last outing against the Red Sox despite Tampa’s extra-inning win. He was 4-6 on the road this year including losses in four of his last five road decisions. Kazmir was 0-2 against Boston in the regular season.

For Boston, Game Five will be more about finding an offense that has struggled since returning to Fenway. David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis are a combined 2-16 with 2 RBIs while the leadoff spot has done nothing as Jacoby Ellsbury and J.D. Drew were a combined 0-8 in the two games.

First pitch of Game Five will be thrown at 8:07 p.m. ET.

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