Starting pitching

The difference between lefthanders Jon Lester (pictured) and Scott Kazmir is Lester has kicked his habit of driving up his pitch count and Kazmir hasn't. Lester, 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA vs. the Rays this season, has emerged as a money pitcher who can work deep into games. Kazmir, 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA against the Sox this season, is comparable to Daisuke Matsuzaka in that high pitch counts tend to force him out before the seventh inning. This is a big series for Josh Beckett (2-1, 2.06 ERA in five starts vs. Rays in 2008). If he can regain his unhittable form, it would give Boston two pitchers capable of shutting down the Rays' lineup.