Jon Lester hurled 114 pitches over six innings his last start, continuing his workmanlike ways. His 4.88 ERA isn't pretty, but he's pitched better than that. He'll be opposed by a guy trying to get back to his 2007 ways. Carmona has had all sorts of bad luck against the Sox ranging from blown saves to blowout losses. J.D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis are on the bench in favor of Jonathan Van Every and Jeff Bailey. Nick Green is back at short.
The high ERA is misleading for Penny; he's had two quality starts in three tries. He's only struck out five, which is a concern (walked eight). His velocity is not the issue, so he just needs to work on command.
Reyes was in the doghouse for the Cardinals last year for no apparent reason. He's 13-25 with a 4.90 ERA, colored by a brutal (and so far, unsustained) 2007 campaign. Last year, he posted a 2.76 ERA in 49 innings with a 1.27 WHIP. His WHIP is 1.29 so far this year.
Tonight will be cold with showers. Julio Lugo makes his season debut.
Two-parter question today, each worth .5 of a point. Two Red Sox have the honor of the most GIDP (ground-in-double-plays) from their respective sides in the plate. Who are the two? (We're asking for the player with the most GIDP from the left side of the plate in a season and also the right side; not cumulatively.)
Tyler Hissey breaks down the careers of Jason Bay and Matt Holiday and wonders who's the better value.
Pettitte has been the Yankees' best starter today; will he be the stopper for them that he's been so long? He didn't give up a walk or a strikeout in his last outing (seven innings) so that may not bode well for him. On Masterson's side, he'll likely struggle with Yankee players laying off his sinker. If he can stay in the zone, he'll go long. Otherwise, it'll be a short outing.
The Red Sox optioned shortstop Gil Velazquez to Pawtucket, in anticipation of Julio Lugo joining the club tomorrow. In lieu of Velazquez, the Sox brought up Michael Bowden to pitch out of the bullpen. The Sox bullpen is rather beleaguered -- certainly not to the extent of the Yankees, but this was a move sorely needed. If Masterson doesn't go long or it's a blowout by the time Masterson is done, Bowden will get the call.
For those wondering why Clay Buchholz was not recalled, he's injured. Not terribly, but still injured.
Burnett has gotten off to a great start and has a good chance of snapping Boston's eight-game winning streak due to his career 5-0, 2.56 ERA record against the Sox. Meanwhile, Beckett returns from suspension and takes his turn on five days rest. He hasn't given up a homer on the year yet. One winning streak has to come to an end today.
Big Papi, David Ortiz, issued a stark warning to Joba Chamberlain to watch his step, reported the New York Post.
Chamberlain seems to have an issue with Kevin Youkilis, having thrown the ball at or near his head four times in the last two years -- which is a rather striking number. The 2007 incidents earned him a suspension while one of the 2008 pitches almost sparked a brawl.
"None of that, man -- just play the game the way it's supposed to be, and that's about it. This is a guy, as good as he is, the next step for him will be to earn respect from everybody in the league. He's not a bad guy, but when things like that happen, people get the wrong idea."
In advance of the Yankees coming to town tomorrow for a three-game set in what will be the unofficial start of baseball season around here, I figure we should get caught up with what's going on in Yankeeland.
After the jump we bring you up to speed on CC Sabathia's struggles, the injury report plus a breakdown of the pitcher's the Sox will face this weekend.