Red Sox-Braves Preview

The Boston Red Sox's deep starting rotation includes a former World Series MVP, a high-priced former Japanese star and an emerging left-hander who has already pitched a no-hitter.

Still, it's knuckleballer Tim Wakefield who'll have a second chance to be the first to 10 wins.

Wakefield would become the third pitcher in the majors to reach double digits with a victory Saturday against the host Atlanta Braves, and he'd also complete the feat faster than he ever has.

After he struggled with shoulder problems late last season, it was unclear if Wakefield would even return for a 15th season with the Red Sox. It's now safe to say Boston (45-28) is glad he did.

At age 42, Wakefield (9-3, 4.47 ERA) has nine quality starts in 14 outings, although he missed his first chance at his 10th victory against the Braves on Sunday. He allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings in that game, which Boston won 6-5.

Entering Saturday's play, Minnesota's Kevin Slowey and Toronto's Roy Halladay are tied for the major league lead with 10 wins. Wakefield won 10 games in 30 starts last year -- the 10th time he has done it -- but the earliest he's won his 10th game was July 3 during the 1998 season.

Teammate Josh Beckett tied him for the team lead with his ninth win after throwing seven shutout innings as the Red Sox beat Atlanta 4-1 on Friday night, but Wakefield still has more wins than Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Lester combined.

Matsuzaka is on the disabled list after a stretch of struggles, and his spot has been taken by former NL Cy Young Award winner John Smoltz.

Boston's strong starting pitching has helped the team to the best record in the AL and 17 wins in its last 23 games. The staff has a 3.38 ERA over that span, while the club has also been boosted by the revival of David Ortiz.

The big designated hitter is still batting .218, but he homered for the third time in his last four games Friday.

"He was kind of lost for a while," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He found himself. That's good for us. We need his bat."

His solo blast helped the Red Sox win for the 11th time in their last 14 against the Braves, including two of three at Fenway Park last weekend.

They'll face Javier Vazquez for the first time since he joined Atlanta, but they've already beaten Vazquez six times in his nine previous starts against them. In the last two, the right-hander has allowed 12 runs in 11 2/3 innings.

J.D. Drew will likely be excited to face Vazquez, against whom he has gone 10 for 24 (.417) with four home runs.

Vazquez (5-6, 3.18) has a 2.06 ERA in his last five starts, but he finally won for the first time since May 20 with 6 2/3 strong innings in the Braves' 2-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

"We haven't gotten anything for him," Atlanta right fielder Jeff Francoeur said. "We haven't exactly torn it up for him, but the way he's been pitching all he needs is two runs every time out."

They didn't give much help to Jair Jurrjens on Friday, and now the Braves (34-39) will be trying to avoid a fourth straight loss on their homestand.

They also could be without leadoff hitter Nate McLouth after the recently acquired outfielder left Friday's game with a hamstring injury. Boston will likely again play without Mike Lowell, whose surgically repaired hip has been sore.