7:39 p.m.: The Red Sox will stay in line with Jon Lester on Saturday and Tim Wakefield and John Lackey on Sunday.
This rainout could have a major impact on the way these teams approach the rest of the series and the rest of the season, as detailed here.
Also, click here for the promised Epstein-Francona story.
7:08 p.m.: The game has been called. The Sox and Yanks will play a doubleheader on Sunday, with start times of 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
If there are any changes to the pitching matchups, we will pass those on.
6:51 p.m.: As we await word on a start time, here are a few links. If there’s a delay, just read them slowly.
First, there’s an update on Clay Buchholz and John Lackey.
Also, I abolutely loved Russell Martin’s comments.
Finally, you’ve heard a lot about a rumored disconnect between Theo Epstein and Terry Francona. Both of them spoke to reporters today and we will link to that story in a moment.
If you’re looking for some Bruins action, click here.
5:44 p.m.: If Jon Lester steps to the mound tonight in the rain, keep an eye on his walk totals.
Those rise when Lester is not right, and are usually the primary culprit of his losing efforts.
In each of the last five times Lester has started and the Red Sox have lost (he is 0-4 with one no-decision in that span), he has walked 19 men in just 29 1/3 innings.
That’s a rate of 5.83 per nine innings.
On the subject of walk rates, Lester often sees his soar as the year drags on. He averages 2.29 walks per nine innings in June for his career, but that number goes to 2.89 in July, 3.51 in August and 4.16 in September.
The lefty has followed a similar path this year. He walked 2.06 per nine in June, 2.08 in July, 4.45 in August and 4.30 in September.
We know the Yankees can work a walk with the best of them. They lead all of baseball in that category, and worked Lester through a 43-pitch first inning the last time he faced them.
Lester has had great success in New York in his career. If the walks pile up early on, it could be one indication that he won’t be successful tonight.
4:31 p.m.: There is word on two items out of New York.
John Lackey will start Sunday, as most of us expected. The final series in Baltimore will probably have Josh Beckett, Erik Bedard and Jon Lester. However, if the team clinches the wild card with a few days to spare, that could change.
Also, Clay Buchholz threw another simulated game in New York (indoors). The plan is for him to get into a game once in Baltimore, Terry Francona told reporters at Yankee Stadium.
3:43 p.m.: If and when we get this one going, the Yankees will put out a very representative lineup for the opener. Perhaps Joe Girardi was inspired by his catcher’s words.
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Andruw Jones, LF
Jesus Montero, DH
Russell Martin, C
Teixeira and Rodriguez are a combined 13-for-64 (.203) with 20 strikeouts against Jon Lester.
3:05 p.m.: Another day, another effort by Terry Francona to account for the absence of Kevin Youkilis.
It’s been a daily shuffle since Youkilis went out, mostly involving the second and fifth spots in the lineup. Today, he moves Dustin Pedroia back to his usual position and tries Mike Aviles as protection for Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz.
As well as Aviles has played, just read the end of that last sentence again for an illustration of how much it hurts to not have a healthy and productive Youkilis in there.
Here’s the lineup:
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Aviles, 3B
Carl Crawford, LF
Marco Scutaro, SS
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Aviles is starting a game in the fifth spot for the second time in his career. The first was June 22, 2008.
2:42 p.m.: After checking into the Twittersphere, since they kept me home for the biggest games of the season, I note two things.
Our own Heidi Watney tweeted that it is absolutely pouring in the city right now, adding she may canoe to the park. And CBSSports.com Danny Knobler mentioned that there may be a decision on a possible raintout coming soon.
The forecast has not improved so tonight’s game seems to be in serious peril.
We will press on as if that’s not the case but will have the updates for you as we go along. Lineups should be out soon (if there is no postponement before then).
9:30 a.m. ET: The opener of the final Red Sox-Yankees series of the season will be threatened by rain, which is in the forecast for much of Friday and Saturday in New York.
If and when the clubs begin what is a critical game for Boston, it will be Jon Lester up against Freddy Garcia.
Lester has lost his last two starts, both against Tampa Bay. He allowed eight runs while walking seven in just 11 innings, falling flat in two big outings against his team’s primary competition in the wild card race.
The Rays, who are two games behind Boston, will be hosting Toronto.
Lester is 6-1 with a 2.67 ERA in nine career starts in New York (both Yankee Stadiums).
Garcia is 0-1 with a 10.95 ERA over his last three outings for the Yankees, who have already clinched the American League East.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. We will provide weather updates throughout the day, so check back often.
