Red Sox-Athletics series thumbnails

at Fenway Park Records: Boston is 16-8 (first in AL East); Oakland is 12-13 (third in AL West, 2 games behind).

Tonight (7:05, NESN, WRKO 680): RHP Joe Blanton (2-1, 3.55) vs. RHP Curt Schilling (3-1, 3.27).

Tomorrow (7:05 p.m., NESN, WRKO): RHP Chad Gaudin (1-1, 2.54) vs. RHP Josh Beckett (5-0, 2.48).

Head to head: This is the first of three series (eight games) between the teams.

Miscellany: Oakland has lost four of five, including two of three to the Devil Rays over the weekend . . . Last July, Blanton went seven innings against Boston, allowing only five hits and one run in an 8-1 win . . . Because of injuries to outfielders, the A's acquired Ryan Langerhans from the Braves over the weekend; he will start in center field tonight.