Bodog Beat

David Ortiz has struggled the most versus the Oakland A's this year. (AP Images)

John Smoltz will try again for his first win with the Boston Red Sox as he makes his home debut tonight against the Oakland Athletics in the opener of a three-game series between teams in very different spots in the AL standings.

Smoltz is 1-0 with a save and a 2.61 ERA in three career games against Oakland. In his only start against the Athletics on June 11, 2005, he gave up three runs and five hits in a complete-game victory.

David Ortiz is 7-for-47 with two home runs and 11 strikeouts in 13 games against Oakland since the start of the 2008 season. He’s hitless with a strikeout in three at-bats against today’s starter Brett Anderson.

Anderson allowed two runs and five hits in his only previous start against Boston on April 15, but he still suffered an 8-2 defeat to the BoSox.

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