Jacoby Ellsbury Leads Charge in Game No. 162 Hoping to Send Yankees to One-Game Playoff

by

Oct 3, 2012

Jacoby Ellsbury Leads Charge in Game No. 162 Hoping to Send Yankees to One-Game PlayoffThe Boston Red Sox can no longer spoil the Yankees' playoff hopes, as both New York and the Baltimore Orioles clinched playoff berths. The Sox can, however, force the Yankees and Orioles to play a one-game tiebreaker for the AL East crown.

If the Sox beat the Yankees and the Orioles can beat Tampa Bay on Wednesday, Baltimore and New York will be tied for first place in the AL East.

While Boston does not have much to fight for after a disappointing season, they could end the season with a respectable win and make things difficult for their hated rivals going forward.

For the Red Sox to pull out a win on Wednesday, they will have to rely on the arm of Daisuke Matsuzaka, who could be making his final start in a Red Sox uniform. The Japanese pitcher comes in with a 1-6 record and a 7.68 ERA.

Opposing Matsuzaka on the mound for the Yankees will be Hiroki Kuroda, who boasts a 15-11 record and a 3.34 ERA. Kuroda has been solid for New York all season long and looks to give the Yankees the AL East title.

Here are Wednesday's lineups.

Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Daniel Nava, LF
Cody Ross, RF
James Lone, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Ryan Lavarnway, DH
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Jose Iglesias, SS

Daisuke Matsuzaka, P

Yankees
Derek Jeter, SS
Ichiro Suzuki, LF
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nick Swisher, RF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Curtis Granderson, CF
Raul Ibanez, DH
Russel Martin, C

Hiroki Kuroda, P

Previous Article

Samuel Eto’o Needs Help Decorating $80,000-per-Month Moscow Apartment (Video)

Next Article

Bobby Valentine Admits He ‘Had Every Opportunity to Succeed’ Despite Issues With Red Sox Coaching Staff

Picked For You