Boston Red Sox (88-69) @ New York Yankees (96-61)
Tim Wakefield (7-7, 5.08) @ A.J. Burnett (10-11, 5.28)
1:05 PM EDT | Yankee Stadium (Bronx, NY)
TV: NESN, YES, TBS RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510

GAME NOTES

A game and a half. I’ve seen this movie before. I’m hoping that it’s a movie where a hero comes to save the day instead of one where all the campers end up dead.

Taking the mound for the Red Sox in the first game of today’s doubleheader is Tim Wakefield. In Timmy’s last start he took the loss against the Rays, going five innings and giving up six runs (two earned) on six hits, one walk, and one hit batter, against five strikeouts. He last faced the Yankees on June 8 and got the win on a similar line (5.1 innings, 5 runs, 5 hits, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K).

But there is hope, Red Sox fans: A.J. Burnett is on the bump for the Yankees. In his last start against the Twins, Burnett got a no-decision, allowing four runs on nine hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts in four innings’ work. Burnett is winless in his last 10 starts against the Red Sox (nine as a Yankee).

Lineups

Boston Red Sox

  1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
  2. Carl Crawford, CF
  3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  4. David Ortiz, DH
  5. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
  6. Conor Jackson, RF
  7. Marco Scutaro, SS
  8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
  9. Mike Aviles, 3B

New York Yankees

  1. Brett Gardner, CF
  2. Derek Jeter, SS
  3. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
  4. Jorge Posada, DH
  5. Andruw Jones, LF
  6. Russell Martin, C
  7. Chris Dickerson, RF
  8. Brandon Laird, 1B
  9. Ramiro Pena, 2B

INJURY REPORT

Boston: Clay Buchholz, lower back strain (placed on 15-day DL June 19, retroactive to June 17); J.D. Drew, left shoulder impingement, broken finger (placed on 15-day DL July 26, placed on 60-day DL September 13); Kevin Youkilis, left hip bursitis and sports hernia (day-to-day)

New York: Francisco Cervelli, concussion symptoms (placed on 15-day DL September 13, retroactive to September 9); Phil Hughes, back spasms (day-to-day)

 

Need tickets to see the Boston Red Sox? Visit Coast to Coast Tickets!

 

Fun Facts

– Jacoby Ellsbury (342) and Adrian Gonzalez (341) are the Major League leaders in total bases.

– On September 25, 1954, the Red Sox held a retirement ceremony for Ted Williams, who (presumably) played his last game at home. Williams ended his retirement the following May after his divorce settlement did not include an active baseball contract.

– And for today’s Totally Untrue Fun Fact: Chris Dickerson’s nickname in the Yankee clubhouse is “Sergeant-Major,” because once Dickerson’s at-bats are finished, it is the end of an inning.