Boston could use Big Game from Bedard

The Boston Red Sox picked up the pieces after a 2-10 start to finish the first half of their season 55-35, and established themselves as one of the scariest teams in baseball.  With a 5-14 mark in September, they will have to focus their attention once again on straightening things out in order to stave off the surging Tampa Rays.

A big component in righting the ship will be tonight’s starter Erik Bedard, who will be making his first start since September 3rd when he was sidelined with a strained muscle in his shoulder.

Since coming to Boston from Seattle, the left-hander has been all right, going 1-2 with a 3.66 ERA in six starts.  In that time opponents have been hitting .256/.326./.314 against him.

The one problem Bedard seems to be having since joining his new team, is going deep into games.  On June 27th, Bedard had a two-month stretch where he was lasting almost 6.5 innings per start with the Mariners.  But in Boston, he’s barely averaging five innings a start.

Erik and his teammates will be facing an Orioles team this evening that has been playing with a little more life of late.  After going 7-20 in July, the team has faired a bit better since, going 21-27.  On the year Boston is 9-4 against the O’s.

Bedard’s biggest issue this evening might be the O’s DH Vladimir Guerrero, who has been on a tear the last week.  He’s gone 12 for his last 28 with three extra-base hits and four RBIs.  Also, in his career, Vlad is hitting 6-16 with a homer and a double off of Bedard.

The Orioles will counter with Rick VanderHurk who will be making his second start since getting called up from Triple-A.  In his first start, VanderHurk made an early exit, lasting just 2.1 innings against the Jays surrendering three runs on three hits.

It’s no secret, Boston could desperately use some quality innings from their mid-season acquisition going forward.  The interesting thing will be, how will Bedard respond to the challenge?  Having pitched in Baltimore and Seattle his entire career, the 32-year-old obviously doesn’t have a whole lot of big game experience to draw on.

It’s probably safe to say I guess, that every game Bedard pitches here on out in 2011, will be the biggest one of his career.