Here we are, just two games into the season, and yet it already feels light years removed from 2012.
In two games thus far in the 2013 campaign, the Red Sox are safely on pace to go 162-0, and they can continue that pace by sweeping the Yankees to begin the year in the third game of this three-game set. To do that, the Red Sox will give a fairly straightforward look in the lineup, save for perhaps backup catcher David Ross getting the nod behind the plate over regular backstop Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
On the mound for the Red Sox it will be Ryan Dempster, making his first official start in a Boston uniform. However, during his Grapefruit League baptism, the right-hander threw 21 2/3 innings, going 1-2 with a 3.74 ERA. That earned run average is certainly a figure the Red Sox wouldn’t mind seeing Dempster repeat during the regular year.
Opposing him will be veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte, one of the more competitive players you’ll find. Though the Yankees have been manhandled by injuries and expectations for New York are falling fast, Pettitte still expects the Yankees to make a World Series run, which speaks volumes about where his head is at every time he takes the mound.
Check out the Red Sox lineup below, and we’ll update you once we get the Yankees’ starting nine.
Boston Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jonny Gomes, DH
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., LF
David Ross, C
Jose Iglesias, SS
Ryan Dempster, RHP
New York Yankees
Brett Gardner, CF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Travis Hafner, DH
Vernon Wells, LF
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Eduardo Nunez, SS
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Francisco Cervelli, C
Andy Pettitte, LHP
