After defeating the Yankees yesterday 6-4, the Boston Red Sox will look to lock up the series with a win tonight against their cross town rivals. With a win, Boston will now improve their record against New York to 7-1 and will have claimed the first three series's against them. With a win tonight, the Red Sox will have won five in a row and will gain sole possession of first place in the American League Eastern division.
For game number two, Boston will send out 45-year old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who will look for win number three on the year in the pitching rotation. Wakefield last pitched back on June 1 against the White Sox, going six innings and surrendering four earned runs on seven hits while fanning four. During his very long career, Wakefield is a career 11-17 with a 4.90 ERA against the Yankees.
As for the Yankees, they will send out right hander A.J. Burnett, who will be looking for win number seven on the year. Burnett was very effective in his last outing, going six strong innings while only giving up two earned runs on three hits against Oakland. In his career against Boston, Burnett is 5-3 with a 4.90 ERA.
Tonight's lineup offers a bit of a twist. Beyond the fact that Marco Scutaro will be batting seventh, we have another twist. Catching Tim Wakefield will Doug Mirabelli Jason Varitek. We all know how much the knuckleball has troubled Tek' in the past to the point were Mirabelli was Wakefield's personal catcher. Varitek will get the start due to Jarrod Saltalamacchia's illness.
Here is tonight's Red Sox lineup against the right handed Burnett:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Carl Crawford, LF
7. Marco Scutaro, SS
8. J.D. Drew, RF
9. Jason Varitek, C
T.V.: NESN, ESPN
Radio: WEEI 850 AM
Go Sox and Bruins!