Posted on 08/18/2006 8:27:35 AM PDT by Airborne1986
It's now or never for the New York Yankees.
The Yankees open a five-game series at Fenway Park on Friday with their alter egos in the American League East, the Boston Red Sox. Just 1 1/2 games will separate the two teams when that series begins.
Since the All-Star break, the Sox have slipped considerably, going 16-17 with problems surfacing with their starting pitching, relief corps and hitting (with the exception of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez). The Yankees, meanwhile, seem to have righted themselves after a long year of struggles with injuries and under-producing pitchers such as Randy Johnson. New York has gone 20-12 since the break to move past Boston into first place, a five-game reversal in 31 games.
Yet even with the additions of Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle and the improved pitching of Johnson, the Yankees won't separate themselves from the Red Sox if they don't make a move during this series, because Boston may be the most resilient team in the American League, if not in all of baseball. ...
For all the Red Sox difficulties of late, especially with their pitching, they could be tied for the division lead by Saturday morning if everything goes right and if they continue to play at home the way they have thus far.
That would give the Red Sox the advantage in the series and for the rest of the season. They would have their top three pitchers Josh Beckett, Curt Schilling and David Wells going in the final three games against the Yankees, with a chance to turn the tables on them just when much of the world felt New York was ready to assert itself and pull away.
....
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Off a guy just called up from AAA!!!!
Red Sox ownership looks totally disgusted by what they have seen.
>>Commerce Comet...one of the two best all around players I ever saw.
When did you see me play?
Oh...you mean that Mantle guy. He was good, too. ;-)
The Yankees are usually guilty of playing down to the level of their opponent, hence making every series interesting.
This has just been plain fun though, having each whipping being a slow, drawn out, torturous event for Sawx Nation.
Boston just seriously blows and is playing themselves right out of the playoffs this weekend.
Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch.
What did you say last summer when the Sox punked out the Yankees 17-1 on two different occassions? Both teams have a history of beating each other's brains in.
Firth time in History that Bawston has given up 12+ runs in 3 straight games....WOW.
That speaks louder than an occasional "punking".
This team looks so deflated for a month now, it is deper than this series. Momentum is with the Yankees this year. Even as they play with an essential "B Team" due to all of their injuries.
firth = first...you'll probably want to jump all over my grammar now.
This team has some major holes in its pitching staff and it shows. The record since Veritek went down is 6-11. The decision to not do anything at the trade deadline has had some impact on the club as well. The pitchers and the offense are pointing fingers and it's falling apart.
Happens.
Chin-up, Boston still has games left against the Royals....
They swept us and beat up on the White Sox. Not as bad as earlier this year.
Hey, I hold no illusions about the Sox right now. Not as bad as this series but certainly not the team they were six weeks ago.
Let the Yanks win the East. The Angels will just take them out in the first round of the playoffs.
New York Yankees' Robinson Cano watches his three-run home run as Boston Red Sox catcher Javy Lopez looks on during the eighth inning of major league baseball at Fenway Park in Boston Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006.
Cano is underated.
Two weeks ago I decided that the Sox were not going to make the playoffs. Too many holes, too many injured guys and no pitching.
Yeah, he was alright. º¿º
I listened to this game over the internet until about 11:30 or so then I had to hit the hay. They had Donald Trump visit the radio booth during the game. I think they were doing a fundraiser for The Jimmy Fund.
$2.8 million raised for the Jimmy Fund. At least something good came out of that night!!!!
How can you be "unimpressed" by what the yanks have done? They did EXACTLY what they should have done. Be patient at the plate and let the sox pitchers dig their own graves. As far as the yankee bullpen, Johnson went into the 7th inning- something the sox starters haven't even approached.
I can see Schilling going all out tonight, but the yanks bats are HOT and the batters are hotter. Boston Massacre part deux. :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.