The first time the Red Sox faced the Yankees, they brought no less than the B-team. Although the results were favorable, it certainly was not the sort of matchup that reminds us what the regular season rivalry looks like.
Tonight, however, is another story. This is the sort of lineup you might expect to see take on C.C. Sabathia in Game 1 of the ALCS, should it come to that.
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Carl Crawford, LF
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
6.David Ortiz, DH
7.Mike Cameron, RF
8.Jarrod Salatlamacchia, C
9.Marco Scutaro, SS
Aside from the absence of J.D. Drew--which could be a standard thing against lefties such as Manny Banuelos, who will get the start tonight for the Yankees--that's the big league lineup. Maybe not in the order we hope for, but there it is.
Tonights starter, however, will not likely be starting any playoff games. It's Alfredo Aceves getting the call against his former team, who will not be throwing out their starting day lineup. Opposing him will be, as mentioned before, Manny Banuelos, the twenty-year old (as of yesterday) southpaw who has many Yankees fans excited after breezing through High-A last year with a 2.23 ERA in 44 innings. He'll get a chance to face some serious competition tonight.
As always,
Go Sox!