One week ago, the Yankees came into Fenway for games 4, 5, and 6 of the season series. After dropping the first 2, the Red Sox managed to take the final game by beating up on A.J. Burnett.
SInce then, the Yankees are 3-4, but the Red Sox have failed to take advantage, only managing a 3-3 record over the same period, gaining just half a game on their rivals.
The Yankees have generally had a down offensive week, scoring only 30 runs in their 7 games, but have done so by alternating explosive offensive games with shutouts. Jorge Posada has, unlike most of the team, had a hot week, going 9-16 in 5 games. Luckily for the Sox, he will be out tonight after taking a foul tip off his foot. Unluckily, the Yankees' backup, Francisco Cervelli, is having an outstanding year so far, with a .393/.460/.500 to date. Combine that with the fact that a "down week" for the Yankees has kept them atop the league with a .363 wOBA, and things won't be easy for the Sox.
The pitching matchups do not exactly favor the boys from Boston either. While last time they had Buchholz, Lester, and Beckett going, this time they just have Daisuke and Beckett. Sox fans can't exactly expect a ton from Josh, who hasn't pitched since that game, where he was eventually shelled after a strong start. And while Daisuke is fresh off one of the best games of his career, it can't be enough to dispel worries about his first 2 starts back from the DL.
The Yankees, on the other hand, will send Phil Hughes to the mound tonight. Hughes is currently sporting a 1.38 ERA on the season, having just shut down the Tigers for 7 innings. The Red Sox didn't do too much better, scoring only 2 runs over 7 innings of their own. In game 2, the Yankees will send C.C. Sabathia against Beckett for a rematch of Opening Day. While C.C. hasn't been at all strong lately--giving up 6 runs against the Tigers in 6 innings and 3 against the Red Sox in just 4.2 innings--it's never comforting to see him throwing.
The Sox have a shot to bring the season series back to even, and pull within 3.5 games of the Bronx Bombers. It's a long shot, but stranger things have happened. Go Sox!