The Red Sox kick off a four-game set at the "fake" Yankee Stadium Friday, and with the pinstripes sitting atop the American league East this could quite possibly be the biggest series of the season for the local nine.
The injuries have taken their toll on the Red Sox — there’s no denying that. However, it seems as if the loss of one Boston player sparks a competitive spirit in another member of the squad and the team rises to the challenge.
The loss of Kevin Youkillis hits the Sox hard, especially with the bulk of the walking wounded waiting in the wings to make their long-awaited returns. So that begs the question: Who will be the next member of the Sox to step up their game in the Bronx?
As far as the battery is concerned, Friday night's matchup between Clay Buchholz and Javier Vasquez will set the tone for the entire series. Now I know that sounds like a no-brainer, seeing that it is the series opener, but I’m looking at it from a big-picture perspective. Buchholz, in my humble opinion, is the most important player on the bruised and battered Sox. He’s tossed his way to an impressive 11-5 season mark and in front of Jay-Z, Minka Kelly and A-Rod’s main squeeze, Cameron Diaz, the Sox' most dependable starter this season will shoot for win No. 12.
If Boston can manage to steal a win at The House That Jeter Built, then the series will be theirs for the taking. Saturday will see John Lackey go head-to-head with one of the toughest lefties in the game, CC Sabbathia. With CC making mincemeat out of the opposition, Big John Stud will definitely have his hands full in Saturday’s midday matinee.
Josh Beckett has been a breath of fresh air since coming off of the disabled list a few weeks ago, and with a pair of wins under his belt since his trip to the shelf, expect Beckett to absolutely embarrass a struggling A.J. Burnett (9-9).
Monday presents a challenge for the Sox and Jon Lester. You see, Johnny L has dropped his last four starts, making it the longest losing streak of his brilliant career. Something tells me that he has no interest in extending that streak to five games. His opponent on the mound will be an unfamiliar face in this Sox-Yankees rivalry as Joe Girardi will trot Dustin Mosely out onto the bump. With his 1-1 record, it could be a long day for the four-year journeyman who was originally picked up by the Reds back in 2000. Moseley's only win this season came against the Indians this past Tuesday and despite the Sox splitting with the Tribe, the Boston bats present a much more daunting challenge then Cleveland.
Only one member of the Yankees is hitting over the .300 mark in Robinson Cano, who has been red-hot this season while swinging the stick at a .325 clip. The rest of the squad is hitting between the .250 and .299 area, which could fare well for the Sox staff.
Then there’s newcomer Lance Berkman, who could be the sleeping giant for the Yanks in this series. The Big Puma is just 2-for-15 since being acquired by New York. We all know what he’s done over his career, so it’s only a matter of time before his bat wakes up — hopefully it won’t be against the Sox.
If the Sox can take this four-pack of games, they will be right back in the mix in the division — something I said in my earlier transmission that is very likely with this scrappy bunch of "get it done" guys.
