They were humiliated in the opener of a three-game series at Fenway Park on Friday night. Then, on Saturday, they returned the favor. Junichi Tazawa was golden, Kevin Youkilis went deep twice and the Sox showed the resolve that has made them AL wild-card front-runners. With their position in the playoff race on the line, the Sox now take the field for the finale of their three-game set with the visiting Yankees.
When and Where
8:05 p.m. ET (ESPN), August 23, 2009
Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.
Records
Red Sox (70-52, 2nd place in AL East)
Yankees (77-46, 1st place in AL East)
Skinny
Unbelievably, the Yankees have now managed to bang out 35 hits in two games against the Red Sox this weekend — and they've been outscored. We're seeing slugfests of the highest order here at Fenway, and unless someone can tame these bats, we're in for more of the same. Tonight's starters have as a good a shot as anyone.
Starting Lineups
| Yankees |
Red Sox |
| Derek Jeter, SS | Jacoby Ellsbury, CF |
| Johnny Damon, LF | Dustin Pedroia, 2B |
| Mark Teixeira, 1B | Victor Martinez, 1B |
| Alex Rodriguez, 3B | Kevin Youkilis, 3B |
| Hideki Matsui, DH | Jason Bay, LF |
| Nick Swisher, RF | Mike Lowell, DH |
| Robinson Cano, 2B | Rocco Baldelli, RF |
| Melky Cabrera, CF | Jason Varitek, C |
| Jose Molina, C | Alex Gonzalez, SS |
Pitching Matchup
RHP Josh Beckett (14-4, 3.38 ERA) vs. LHP CC Sabathia (14-7, 3.58 ERA)
Last time out, Beckett tried and failed to become the first 15-game winner in baseball this season. He took a no-decision in Tuesday's 10-9 melee in Toronto, allowing seven runs on nine hits. He left in the sixth. He's still one of the best hurlers in the AL, and his bid for his first Cy Young is on the line as he faces the Yankees.
Sabathia might be in the mix for that honor as well — and remember, he beat out Beckett for the AL Cy in 2007. Sabathia has been absolutely dominating this August, pitching at least seven innings in all four of his starts and winning all four. He's struck out 31 batters and walked five since the first of the month. Not the guy the Sox want to mess with in tonight's finale.
Stat Sheet
Red Sox
The Red Sox are 32-19 against AL East opponents this season.
They have 255 doubles, tops in the AL.
Josh Beckett has a 5.03 career ERA against the Yankees in 98 1/3 innings. He is 9-4 against the Bronx Bombers.
Kevin Youkilis is second in the AL with a .970 OPS.
Jason Bay has 27 home runs, sixth in the AL.
With 54 stolen bases, Jacoby Ellsbury is tied with Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford for the major league lead. He's also closing in on a new Red Sox single-season record.
Victor Martinez is hitting .316 since coming to the Red Sox at the trading deadline. He has five home runs and 15 RBIs.
J.D. Drew has a .982 OPS in August.
Jason Varitek is 119-for-523 (.228) in his career against the Yankees. He has 21 home runs.
Dustin Pedroia is 58-for-189 against them. He has an .806 OPS.
David Ortiz has a .500 slugging percentage against Sabathia. In 18 at-bats, he has a home run, a double and three singles.
Nick Green is 0-for-3 against Sabathia. He has struck out twice.
Yankees
The Yankees are 52-28 in night games this season.
They lead the major leagues with an .836 team OPS.
CC Sabathia is 3-5 in nine career starts against the Red Sox. He has a 3.57 ERA in 63 innings.
Mark Teixeira has 65 total extra-base hits, tops in the AL.
Alex Rodriguez has a .398 on-base percentage, eighth in the AL.
Robinson Cano is 10-for-30 (.333) in his career against Beckett. He has doubled three times and homered.
Derek Jeter is 10-for-34 (.294) against Beckett.
Black and Blue
Red Sox
Tim Wakefield is returning to the Red Sox rotation after a bout with back problems. He is expected to replace Brad Penny in the Red Sox' rotation.
George Kottaras is currently rehabbing from a strained lower back. He hopes to return and catch Wakefield.
Jed Lowrie, on the 15-day DL since Aug. 7 with a left forearm injury, will report to Pawtucket on Monday to begin a rehab assignment.
Yankees
Brett Gardner is expected to begin rehabbing from a fractured left thumb. He has been on the 15-day DL since July 26.
Chien-Ming Wang has been on the 60-day DL since July 5 with a right shoulder injury. He is out for the remainder of the season.
Xavier Nady has been on the 60-day DL since April 15 with a right elbow injury. He is also done for the year.
This Date in Red Sox History
In 1974, Red Sox ace Luis Tiant pitched a complete-game, six-hit shutout of the Oakland A's at Fenway Park. It was his 20th win of the season, giving him back-to-back 20-win seasons in a Red Sox uniform. Tiant would finish his career with four 20-win campaigns.
Overheard
"I told him he's got to hang tight a little bit. We'll get through today, and then we'll tell him where we go from there."
–Manager Terry Francona, on Boston.com, on Brad Penny. Penny will likely be replaced in the Red Sox' rotation, at least temporarily, by Tim Wakefield.
Press Box
Red Sox
The Sox turned the tables on New York on Saturday.
Tim Wakefield is on his way back.
More on Billy Wagner, who was claimed off waivers by Boston on Friday.
Yankees
The Yankees let the Sox get one back.
The Bombers got bombed.
Not everyone loves Derek Jeter.
MLB
Carlos Pena powered the Rays to victory.
Chris Carpenter won his 14th game.
Kenshin Kawakami outdueled Johan Santana.
Outlook
Only the best of the best will take the hill for this series finale, and the Red Sox are always confident with Josh Beckett on the hill. If the Red Sox can find a way to hit CC Sabathia, and if Beckett takes care of business, then the Sox are in a good position to win this game and the weekend series. Even if the division looks a little out of reach, the Red Sox need to keep winning to keep their playoff hopes high.
