Boston Red Sox (17-20) @ New York Yankees (20-15)
Clay Buchholz (3-3, 4.19) @ Bartolo Colon (2-1, 3.86)
7:05 PM EDT |Yankee Stadium (New York, NY)
TV: NESN, MLB Network RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510
INJURY REPORT
New York: Phil Hughes, dead arm (Placed on the 15 day DL on April fifteenth); Eric Chavez, Bruised bone in left foot(Placed on the 15 day DL May 5th); Rafael Soriano, elbow inflammation (Day-to-day, undergoing MRI today); Pedro Feliciano, strained lat muscle(Placed on the 15 day DL before the season began);
Boston:Marco Scutaro, strained left oblique (Placed on the 15 day DL May 8th); Dan Wheeler, strained calf (Placed on the 15 day DL May 5th); Bobby Jenks, bicep soreness (Placed on 15 day DL May 5th, retroactive to May 2nd)
GAME NOTES
Experts will tell you that there are no important series in April and May. In a one hundred and sixty two game season, a three game series in the heart of May really carries little significance. Yet, in a sport where divisions are often won or lost by single game margins, it’s hard not to look back to April and May and wonder about the ones that got away. Just ask the Boston Red Sox, who teeter on the tightrope of contention as they head into the Bronx for a showdown with their storied rivals. By the end of the series, the Sox could be two games down in the division, or as far back as eight. Clay Buchholz looks to draw first blood as he takes the mound for the Sox. He comes off his best start of the season, a rain delayed affair that saw him pitch three innings only to return for two more after a delay that lasted over two hours. He pitched scoreless ball and struck out six, finally showing the dominant form he displayed last season. New York counters with stem cell warrior Bartolo Colon. Considered an insurance move to protect a thin rotation, Colon has turned out to be one of the Yankee’s best pitchers this season. Taking Phil Hughes’ spot in the starting rotation after a dead arm forced him to the disabled list, Colon has made four starts. His worst came last Saturday in Arlington, where he was roughed up for five runs in just four and a third innings. It may only be May, but the Sox have an opportunity to gain a lot this weekend in the Bronx. Of course what they stand to lose could be much worse.
Lineups
Red Sox
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Adrain Gonzalez, 1B
- Kevin Youkilis, 3B
- David Ortiz, DH
- J.D. Drew, RF
- Jed Lowrie, SS
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
New York
- Derek Jeter, SS
- Curtis Granderson, CF
- Mark Teixiera, 1B
- Alex Rodriguez, 3B
- Robinson Cano, 2B
- Nick Swisher, RF
- Jorge Posada, DH
- Russell Martin, C
- Brett Gardner, LF
Stats
-Buchholz has had trouble with walks this year. His BB/9 sits at 4.42 compared to a 3.86 career average.
-Colon has given up 6 home runs in 37 1/3 innings this season.
-Jorge Posada is batting .162 and is valued at -0.3 WAR.
-Adrian Gonzalez is hitting .390 with 6 home runs and 16 RBI’s in his last 59 at bats.
-After pitching on Wednesday night, Tim Wakefield became the oldest person to play for the Red Sox at 44 years and 282 days old, surpassing Deacon McGuire.
-Buchholz all time versus New York: 1-3 with a 6.25 ERA in six starts.
-The Sox don’t have good numbers against Colon. Adrian Gonzalez is the only player batting above .280 against him. Ortiz (39 AB’s): .103/.188/.207, Crawford (31 AB’s): .194/.219/.258.
-After yesterday’s off day, the Sox have 20 games in 20 days.
How are you feeling about this team as they head to the Bronx? Share your opinion in the comments section, and stick around for the game. We’d love to hear from you.