Heartache reigns supreme in Red Sox Nation. In a do-or-die series, the team has laid down and died so far. Here's hoping for a win in this game to turn things around. We can still take the series 3-2 right? Right?!
Starting Pitchers
New York: Randy Johnson (13-9), 4.92 ERA, 1.26 WHIP.
Boston: Josh Beckett (13-7), 5.02 ERA, 1.27 WHIP.
Starting Lineups
New York:
- Johnny Damon, DH
- Derek Jeter, SS
- Bobby Abreu, RF
- Jason Giambi, 1B
- Alex Rodriguez, 3B
- Robinson Cano, 2B
- Jorge Posada, C
- Bernie Williams, CF
- Melky Cabrera, LF
- Kevin Youkilis, 1B
- Mark Loretta, 2B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Manny Ramirez, LF
- Javy Lopez, C
- Mike Lowell, 3B
- Wily Mo Pena, RF
- Gabe Kapler, CF
- Alex Gonzalez, SS
- Coco gets the day off. Kapler takes his place in center field.
- Javy Lopez is apparently batting fifth. He's posted a .333/.385/.417 line for his past four games, which is probably the reason for it.
- Beckett has managed to give up less home runs lately, not allowing one in three of his last four starts. He does however have a different set of troubles now, pitching more than six innings in only one of his last eight starts.
- Rudy Seanez was DFA'd after last night's game. This because of the acute need for a fresh arm in the pen following yesterday's two draining games. Jermaine Van Buren has been called up from Pawtucket to take his place.
- Gammons will return to Fenway for the first time since his aneurysm for this game. Let's please make him proud.