Matsuzaka, Ichiro: Round Three

They faced off back in April in Daisuke Matsuzaka's second major league start, a game Matsuzaka lost not because he wasn't effective but because a young pitcher named Felix Hernandez was fabulous that night.

Then they faced off in a make up game on May 3rd, Boston would prevail this time, though Matsuzaka wouldn't be around for the decision.

And now they prepare to face each other again. Ichiro comes in 0-5 against Matsuzaka this season while walking twice and striking out once.

Boston neeeds to win today to avoid a being swept for the first time since a two game series against Toronto on April 23 and 24. Aside from that two game series Boston hasn't been swept since last August in Oakland. That series sweep came in the midst of a 2-12 run that began with the 5 game sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees and included a sweep in Seattle.