Boston @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 24, 2011 ) Boston 1, Pittsburgh 3

THE STORY: The suddenly scuffling Boston Red Sox send Tim Wakefield, who is becoming a fixture in the Red Sox rotation, to the mound trying to stop a three-game losing streak Saturday night against the Pirates at Pittsburgh. Wakefield starts for the flu-ridden Josh Beckett while the Pirates send Jeff Karstens to the mound looking for their fourth straight win. Pittsburgh is 5-2 at home in interleague play this season. Boston continues to lead the American League East by a half-game over the New York Yankees.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), Root Sports (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Tim Wakefield (4-2, 4.26 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Jeff Karstens (4-4, 2.54). Wakefield has gone from spot starter to a mainstay in the rotation. With injuries to the Boston staff becoming the norm, Wakefield has won four of his last five decisions. Wakefield has pitched only once against the Pirates, holding them scoreless for seven innings in 2005. He began his career in Pittsburgh in 1992 and even though earlier in the season he seemed to be on his last legs in the majors, he appears to have a starter’s job in Boston for the foreseeable future. Karstens has been solid as of late but has had little in the way of victories to show for it. In his last four starts, the righthander is 1-0 and has allowed only two earned runs in 27 2/3 innings to drop his ERA well under three. He hasn’t given up more than three runs in a start since April 28. Karstens, though, has had no success against Boston in limited work, going 0-1 with a 14.54 ERA in two appearances.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (38-37): Very few Pirates have a history against the Red Sox, but Lyle Overbay has enjoyed his time against Boston. Overbay had two hits and an RBI in Friday’s win. He batted .304 with 12 homers and 54 RBIs while a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Overbay is batting .333 with a homer and five RBIs against Wakefield. Closer Joel Hanrahan pitched a perfect ninth inning in the series opener and is 21-for-21 in save opportunities on the season. Pittsburgh drew a crowd of 39,330 on Friday night with many wearing Red Sox apparel.

ABOUT THE RED SOX (44-31): Boston manager Terry Francona opted against using David Ortiz at first base Friday night and the Red Sox lineup was not as imposing. His decision was made in part because the Pirates went with the lefthander Paul Maholm on the mound. With Karstens starting Saturday, he will likely put Ortiz at first and move Adrian Gonzalez to the outfield. Francona, however, admits he is afraid of Gonzalez getting injured. On Friday, the final five batters in Boston’s lineup were Darnell McDonald, Mike Cameron, Jason Varitek, Marco Scutaro and Jon Lester, not exactly murderer’s row. McDonald left six men on base. Said Francona: “I’m not happy about David sitting for nine straight games and I’m also not happy about putting Gonzy in right field. Neither choice is very appealing." Ortiz pinch hit in Friday’s game and grounded out to end the eighth inning with the tying runs on base.

FINAL PITCH: Boston continues to deal with injuries and illnesses. Josh Beckett, who is recovering from the flu, said he would be ready to pitch Tuesday in Philadelphia against Cliff Lee. That will give him 12 days between starts.