This story originally ran in The Standard-Times on Oct. 5, 2005.

By Nick Tavares
Standard-Times staff writer

Two big lefties lock horns tonight at 7 p.m. in Game 2 of the Red Sox/White Sox divisional series.

David Wells gets the nod for Boston. Wells had a 4.45 ERA this season and was second on the Red Sox' staff with 15 wins. His greatest attribute so far has been his gung-ho attitude and incredible control striking out 107 batters in 184 innings while walking only 21 batters.

His one start against the White Sox was a no-decision. In that game he gave up five runs three of them earned in 7.2 innings pitched.

"They've got a good team" Wells said. "I pitched against them earlier this year and they hit me pretty good. I have to be better than I was last time.

"I don't really look into facing former teams. I mean you've got to face somebody regardless of who they are."

Wells pitched for the White Sox in 2001.

That game also saw David Ortiz drive in six runs on two home runs coming in the 6th and 8th innings respectively for a 9-8 Boston win.

Chad Bradford got the win while then-closer Curt Schilling gave up three runs in the 9th to close it out.

For Chicago Mark Buehrle takes the hill. He was 0-1 in two starts against Boston this season giving up 22 hits and 11 runs nine earned with the one loss coming at the expense of Ortiz' offensive explosion.

"I'm sure I'll have some nerves going [today]" Buehrle said. "I'll just go out there and try to throw 0's.

"I know (Wells is) going to go out there and do what Boomer does. Especially in post-season he's a big game pitcher."

Buehrle finished third in the American League with a 3.12 ERA and had a record of 16-8 with 149 strike outs.

Contact Nick Tavares at at ntavares@s-t.com

This story appeared on Page C3 of The Standard-Times on October 5 2005.