The New York Yankees will take on the Boston Red Sox for a trio of games this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
The Yankees became the first team in the Majors to clinch a playoff birth on Tuesday night, and could capture home field advantage this weekend with wins against the rival Red Sox.
And with the Yankees playoff spot secure and the Red Sox holding a seven and a half game lead in the AL Wild Card race, will these games carry any meaning?
The Yankees Red Sox rivalry games usually carry a lot of hype and excitement, but not much is being made of this weekend’s series. Both teams seemed to be focused on the playoffs and less on their rival.
A quick visit to Bostondirtdogs.com actually gives a top ten list of “Things to do while the Sox play out the string.”
Maybe someone should tell the Yankees.
The Yankees will put the heart of their pitching line up against the Red Sox with Joba Chamberlain (8–6) starting Friday, CC Sabathia (18–7) starting Saturday, and veteran ace Andy Pettitte (13–7) getting the call on Sunday.
The Red Sox will start Jon Lester (14–7) on Friday, Daisuke Matsuzaka (3–5) on Saturday and Paul Byrd (1–2) for the Sunday afternoon game.
Both Lester and Chamberlain have faced their rival team three times this season, with each only logging one win. The Yankees will continue their season long monitoring of Chamberlain’s pitches. He is expected to pitch around five innings.
Daisuke Returns, Sabathia Starts Sunday
After spending almost three months on the disabled list, Red Sox pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka will face the Yankees for the first time this season. Matsuzaka has logged two wins since his return.
Sabathia was originally going to start for the Yankees on Friday, but Manager Joe Girardi decided to give him the extra days rest.
“We started thinking about this in the beginning of September,” Manager Joe Girardi told the New York Times.
Sabathia has pitched 220 and 1/3 innings so far this year. Keeping him fresh could be the key to a successful playoff run.
Byrd, a new addition to the Red Sox rotation, will be making his first start against the Yankees this season for the Sunday afternoon game.
Veteran Yankee, Andy Pettitte will start his fourth game against the Red Sox after going 1–1 this season.
The Yankees may rest catcher Jorge Posada after fouling a ball off his toes earlier in the week. X-rays came back negative, but Girardi wants to make sure his catcher will be ready for the playoffs.
"We'll check to see how he is Friday. Whenever he's ready, we'll put him back in there, but I don't want this to linger. I want to clear it up."
Utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr. may also sit out due to a left wrist injury. Girardi will also make a decision prior to the game.
Supreme Court Justice to attend and throw opening pitch
On Saturday, the Yankees will welcome U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to throw out the first pitch. Justice Sotomayor is a South Bronx native and avid Yankees fan.
"Having Justice Sotomayor, a South Bronx native, participate in our yearly Hispanic Heritage Month celebration is very exciting, as she is an inspiration to so many," said Manuel García, Yankees Director of Latino Affairs in a Yankees press release.
While not a lot of hype is being made about this series in the media, this weekend could provide a peek into a potential playoff battle, plus, it is Yankees Red Sox. How could you not care?
