Yesterday's game was the very definition of a let down. A hard one at that. But let's ignore our overall record for now and just look at it like this: if the Sox can, miracle of miracles, win the matchup between Josh Beckett and C.C. Sabathia, then they're 1-0 in their last one series.
But first they've gotta, y'know, win the game.
The Sox will switch Mike Cameron and Jason Varitek in for Jacoby Ellsbury and Jarrod Saltalamacchia to take on the tough lefty. Noticeably absent is Jed Lowrie, who typically mashes southpaws, but Marco Scutaro has a very good career OBP against Sabathia, so it makes sense to keep him in.
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Kevin Youkilis, 3B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Mike Cameron, CF
- J.D. Drew, RF
- Jason Varitek, C
- Marco Scutaro, SS
Josh Beckett, meanwhile, will have to face the usual murder's row from the Yankees.
- Brett Gardner, LF
- Derek Jeter, SS
- Mark Teixeira, 1B
- Alex Rodriguez, 3B
- Robinson Cano, 2B
- Nick Swisher, RF
- Jorge Posada, DH
- Curtis Granderson, CF
- Russell Martin, C
Beckett did not have either the best or worst of outings last time around against the Indians. As for how he matches up against the Yankees, well, let's just say it's not pretty. Especially against the middle of the order.
CC Sabathia, on the other hand, is kind of the nightmare matchup for the Red Sox. A tough lefty who doesn't wear down easily, Sabathia only really has Youkilis (1.387 career OPS against) and Mike Cameron (1.579) to worry about.
Go Sox!