Impact of the Marco Scutaro Signing

Photo by AP

♫ The Rooters showed up at the grounds one day
They found their seats had all been sold
McGreevey led the charge into the park
Stormed the gates and put the game on hold
The Rooters gave the other team a dreadful fright
Boston's tenth man could not be wrong
Up from "Third Base" to Huntington
They'd sing another victory song ♫
--Dropkick Murphys

On Thursday the Red Sox agreed to a 2 year $12.5MM deal with middle infielder Marco Scutaro, who spent the last two seasons with Toronto. When analyzing exactly how much will Scutaro impact Boston's upcoming season one major aspect has to be looked at. Since Nomar left Boston after the '03 season Boston has had 5 different starters at SS over the last 6 seasons (Pokey Reese, Edgar Renteria, Julio Lugo, Alex Gonzalez, and Nick Green + Jed Lowrie spliting time with Lugo in '08 makes it 7). Scutaro gives them a reliable SS who now at 34 years old is actually seemingly improving, last season he had the most ABs of his career and put up the best stats. Scutaro's power is not overwhelming but his 12 HR equal the HRs put up by Lugo, Green, and Gonzalez last season combined. Scutaro may be able to use the wall to his advantage and put up another double digit HR season which would be the first by a Boston SS since Nomars 28 HRs in 2003. Scutaro can also fit into many spots in the lineup and actually started in 5 different spots in the lineup during his time with the Blue Jays (led off all of '09). He is also a very polished defender who rarely makes costly mistakes in the field. Overall I consider this a very intelligent pick up by Theo Epstein and this could even wind up being a major steal.

Plea to the Yankees: Don't Sign John Lackey

Many teams have been linked to top free-agent pitcher John Lackey. Among those are the Mets, Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers, and, of course, the Yankees.



Last year I pleaded to the Yankees that they should NOT sign A.J. Burnett. I was wrong so far and I will admit that.

What Yankees fans should be afraid of is that the Yankees could be paying their third starter equally or more than their second starter. While the rotation would be great for the upcoming years and the Yankees do have the money, why not spend the money on various holes, rather than one?

John Lackey was 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA last year. His career ERA is 3.81. Those are some average numbers for someone commanding $82M or more. Meanwhile, Lackey is also an injury risk having pitched in less than 30 games each of the last two seasons.

The Yankees can use that $82M over the next five seasons ($16.4M per year) and sign either a top outfielder (Jason Bay or Matt Holliday) OR one pitcher (Rich Harden, Jason Marquis, Erik Bedard, Justin Duchscherer) AND one outfielder (Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Marlon Byrd, Jermaine Dye)

Don't you think you would rather have the latter of the two? Thoughts? Send em' along in the comments.

Free Agent Spotlight: Erik Bedard

With Justin Duchscherer being reviewed with his mental problems, we turn to another high-risk, high-reward type pitcher in Erik Bedard. Yes, we all remember him as the guy who was traded from Baltimore to Seattle for soon-to-be All-Star Adam Jones and reliever George Sherrill, but obviously the trade didn’t go so well for the Mariners. Why you ask? Bedard started just 15 games in each of his two seasons in Seattle, going a combined 11-7 with a 3.24 ERA. In 2008, his season ended in June after tearing his labrum, an injury many doctors say a pitcher will never be able to return to true form from. The labrum is the joint that basically connects the arm to the shoulder and allows movement, so you can only imagine the pain. He had surgery in September and returned for Spring Training. In 2009, he left in June again after inflammation in the very same shoulder, and he missed the rest of the year. Note: He has been on the DL 6 times in the last 3 seasons.
photo from Getty Images

So, let us look back to the good old days when he was a strikeout machine. For the Orioles from 2004-2007 (and .2 innings in 2002) he went 40-34 (remember how below average the O’s have been this decade). A 3.94 ERA over that span; 658 innings, 639 strikeouts, including a team record 221 in 2007 (10.93 KPG) and walking just 254 [just over a 2.5-1 K-BB ratio]. He is a career 5-4 vs. Boston, 11-3 vs. Tampa Bay, but only 1-3 at Yankee Stadium as an opponent.

Now, seeing this, do we take the risk and go after the lefty? There’s a chance he could be a stud again, and there’s a chance he could get hurt again. Let’s face it..we need a starter for next year (more like two or three or four). Personally, I would rather go after someone like a Duchscherer, with Bedard next in line. Harden and Sheets (more Harden to me) are too great of risks to take, unless they remain free agents until late in the off-season. But if we want him, we better hurry, his drafter Baltimore is looking to sign him for some good money…

Look Back - Alex Rodriguez's 2007 Resiging

Photo Courtesy of Bleacher Report

There are a couple ways I wanted to go with this particular look back. I wanted to go back to when the Yankees signed Alex Rodriguez initially but then there would be too many possibilities. But, I found that it was a lot more feasible to discuss what might have occurred if the Yankees had chosen not to resign him in 2007.

After all it was perfectly reasonable that the Yankees would not resign A-Rod. Scott Boras operated in such a way that it was certainly possible the Yankees had had enough of dealing with Alex Rodriguez’s massive contract. They had offered him $230 million dollars and had previously said that they would not play around with A-Rod if he opted out.

So the Yankees do not sign Rodriguez which leaves 3rd base open. Here are a few possibilities:

RED SOX SIGN ALEX RODRIGUEZ

Despite the idea that Boston would never want to sign A-Rod because they dislike Boras or did not believe that A-Rod was a “Boston” guy, in reality it would make complete sense for them to sign him. With Mike Lowell’s contract up, they could sign Rodriguez to a huge contract and generate even more publicity for their campaign to defend their World Series title.

YANKEES SIGN MIKE LOWELL

In need of a 3rd basemen, the Yankees sign Mike Lowell away from Boston. This has the added benefit of slighting the Red Sox while gaining Lowell, who at the time, was regarded as a very potent third basemen. There was serious interest in Lowell on the part of the Yankees so do not mistake this as just a rumor. They might have even signed him even if they brought A-Rod back.

YANKEES SIGN MARK TEXEIRA

Pretty easy to see that this signing would still have occurred.

YANKEES MOVE ROBINSON CANO to third base and sign (gulp) LUIS CASTILLO

Of all the other free agent second basemen available, Castillo makes the most sense for the Yankees. His career average was around .300 and he was a fairly good defensive second basemen who might have have been able to replace Cano’s production at 2nd base.

Recap of the Yankees Starting lineup:

WITH LOWELL AND TEIXEIRA

1. Jeter SS
2. Damon LF
3. Teixeira 1B
4. Matsui DH
5. Posada C
6. Cano 2B
7. Lowell 3B
8. Swisher RF
9. Cabrera CF


WITH CASTILLO AND TEIXEIRA AND CANO AT 3RD

1. Jeter SS
2. Damon LF
3. Teixeira 1B
4. Matsui DH
5. Posada C
6. Cano 3B
7. Swisher RF
8. Castillo 2B
9. Cabrera CF

I have to say, even if one were to take into account the extra money that could be freed up to buy a pitcher, it would have been a very bad move to put Cano at 3rd and sign Castillo, or really any other 2nd basemen because the 2007 class was not stellar at that position. With Lowell and Teixeira in the lineup it looks infinitely better but, upon comparison to the lineup the Yankees have today with Rodriguez both of these lineups simply do not compare.

Price for Doc Halladay Remains Too High

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

The Yankees would have to part with quite a bit if, as Peter Gammons reports (MLB Trade Rumors), the Red Sox would have to part with both Casey Kelley and Clay Buchholz. I can only imagine that the Yankees would have to give up Austin Jackson, Ian Kennedy, and maybe one other prospect to get Doc and then an additional $20 million a year to keep him. That is a really hefty price to pay and while I do love the idea of having Doc in our rotation losing three top prospects is not easy to stomach. Add onto that the fact that the Yankees made three blockbuster deals last year and it seems a little unreasonable that they would need to sign Doc. The rotation is far from set but resigning Pettitte while tinkering with Hughes and Chamberlain as well as with a healthier Chien-Ming Wang sounds like a perfectly reasonable option. After all, the Yankees won the world series doing just that.

Would I love to have Doc? Absolutely. But is he worth giving up three top prospects and 20 million a year? If that is the case, Doc might not be the Yankees huckleberry, even if he wants to be.

MY MVP Voting

Photo courtesy of SI

Here is how I would have voted for the MVP:

1. Joe Mauer C- Minnesota Twins

2. Derek Jeter SS- New York Yankees

3. Mark Teixeira 1B- New York Yankees

4. Kendry Morales 1B- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

5. Kevin Youkillis 1B- Boston Red Sox

6. Ben Zobrist SS- Tampa Bay Rays

7. Alex Rodriguez 3B- New York Yankees

8. Michael Young SS- Texas Rangers

9. Aaron Hill 2B- Toronto Blue Jays

10. Ichiro CF- Seattle Mariners

Big question: Why no Miguel Cabrera?

You may have heard that he had a fight with his wife the night before one of the last games of the season. He was busy getting drunk while the rest of the teammates were working hard to make the playoffs. I don't care about stats, that is the poorest excuse of a teammate I have ever seen and that shows no respect for your teammates or your team. No value in that at all.

This is Nothing like 04'

All I have been hearing for the last couple of days is that this is completely like the 2004 collapse and that the Yankees are gonna blow it again. Really? In 2004 did the Yankees have CC Sabathia? Mark Teixeira? Was Alex Rodriguez actually clutch? This is nothing like 2004. The Yankees pitching is much improved and the Yankees hitting is equal if not better. All the Yankees need is one more win and they are in the World Series, just like in 2004. In 2004 the Yankees were playing the Redsox, not the Angels. In 2004 the Yankees had Javier Vazquez pitching in game 7, not CC Sabathia.

This is nothing like 2004. Even if the Yankees do lose the series, it is nothing like 2004. Not at all.

The Future of Jon Papelbon

With the Yankees win over the Minnesota Twins yesterday, they will go to the ALCS to play the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Once the Angels swept the Redsox, an interesting question came up: Will this be the last game Jon Papelbon pitches in a Redsox uniform? I hope so!

Here are teams that would be good fits for Papelbon:

TAMPA BAY RAYS: Would be a great fit, but would NEVER ever happen.

DETROIT TIGERS: May be the best fit if the Redsox are willing to send him to an AL team.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: Great fit if the Phillies are willing to do it. They would have to get rid of Lidge first.

CHICAGO CUBS: Maybe the Cubs would be a good fit, but they have both Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmol.

HOUSTON ASTROS: Need a closer with Jose Valverde becoming a free agent.

PREDICTION: The Redsox keep Papelbon and let Billy Wagner go as a free agent.

UPDATE 9:08 PM EST: The reason the Redsox would get rid of Papelbon is because they feel that Daniel Bard is a capable MLB closer.

UPDATE 9:10 PM EST: Check out this prediction in the Miami Herald....bottom of the article...CRAZY!

What a Game

Two down, one to go.

I was at the Yankees game last night and boy was it amazing. I was jumping, screaming, and getting chills all at the same time. I will never forget this game and for some reason, Alex Rodriguez loves it when I am at Yankees games!

I was at his walk-off grand slam game.

Also, Joe Nathan must hate me! I was at the May 15th game in which he gave up a walk-off RBI single to Melky Cabrera.

Regardless, it was the greatest game i've ever been to and I will never forget it. The fact that the Redsox lost and the Yankees won on the same night, again, makes it that much more special.

Yankees Win the AL East, Root for the Twins

Congrats to the Yankees, as they defeated the Boston Redsox 4-2 today to win the AL East. I was watching the game from start to finish and let me tell you it was exciting. I don't know why, but this game had some special feeling to it.

-Twins and Tigers both lost today

-Root for the Twins to win the AL Central. The pitching is much worse in Minnesota and the Tigers have Justin Verlander.

Suggestion to the Mets

Everyone once in a while I do a post in which I make a suggestion to a team. Well next up in the series is a group of suggestions to the New York Mets.

Here is how to fix the Mets.

-Fire Jerry Manuel

-Fire Omar Minaya

-Fire entire medical staff

-Fire Hitting and Pitching Coaches

-Trade Jose Reyes to the Boston Redsox for Jacoby Ellsbury and Lars Anderson (at least.)

-Sign John Lackey
-Sign Chone Figgins

Jerry Manuel should be fired because his team (the Mets) do not even know the fundamentals of baseball. If a team isn't playing well, thats one thing, but if a team drops pop ups, doesn't touch third base, and throws to first when no one is covering....that is a problem. Also, Jerry, not every player can play every position.

Omar Minaya is a trainwreck. Enough said.

The Mets have been one of the most injured teams in baseball and that can't just be because the players are fragile. The staff must have something to do with it.

The Mets have not hit or pitched well this year. Even when the team was healthy, they struggled.

The Reyes trade would really shake up the Mets. Ellsbury helps out in the outfield, with Gary Sheffield gone. Lars Anderson can be the future 1st baseman of the Mets.

Lackey and Figgins are both free agents in 2010 and are both members of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim now. Lackey can be a top 2 starter, while Figgins can play nearly every position.

Apology to Sergio Mitre

Dear Sergio Mitre,

I am very, very sorry I had repeatedly said that I did not want you on the Yankees. I wrote that I wanted you designated, released, traded, put on every kind of waivers possible, and even at one point I think I said I wanted you to pitch for the Redsox just so that the Yankees could beat them. Yesterday you proved me wrong....for one start at least. You pitched 6.1 Innings of scoreless, 1 hit baseball, with the sinker moving. You showed that you have done your job as the 5th starter.

I apologize,
Brandon

Yankees Have Interest in Brad Penny

According to the NY Post, the Yankees are interested in signing RHP Brad Penny to replace Sergio Mitre in the rotation. Penny would cost $100,00 to sign for the Yankees, or any other team interested in signing him (besides the Redsox.)

I like the idea of this, as long as it doesn't get in the way. What I mean by that is that I would NOT want Brad Penny on the Yankees playoff roster. I would like him as a September starter to fill in the last spot over Mitre. Other teams interested are the Rockies, Marlins, and Giants. I think the best fit for him is the Rockies.

Jim Rice: Biggest Hypocridiot Ever

If you are wondering...yes I did make up the word hypocridiot (combination of the words hypocrite and idiot).

Also if you are wondering, why? Well here is why:


So let me get this straight. Jim Rice decides to inspirational speak to a group of little leaguers. He then decides to bash players that make too much money and care only about money. Once he started talking about Derek Jeter in the same sentence as Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez, however....thats horrible.

“You see a Manny Ramirez, you see an A-Rod (Alex Rodriguez), you see (Derek) Jeter … Guys that I played against and with, these guys you’re talking about cannot compare.”


Ok, so he has a strong opinion. This doesn't make him the worst guy...does it?

Yes, it does.


Here is why:


As I was watching the Yankees game tonight, Michael Kay told a great story.


Adrian Wojnarowski emailed him, saying that when he was a kid he had a Redsox yearbook. In the yearbook was a Q&A with Jim Rice. Rice was asked what his favorite part of being a baseball player was. His response "the 1st and 15th of the month." For those of you that don't know, those are the days that players get paid.

So let me get this straight. Jim Rice criticizes one of the most unselfish, team before player players for caring too much about money....but he says his favorite part is the money?

Classless, selfish, hypocritical.

Edited Version of Importance of Role Player's Post

Connor Reed who wrote the original post has added new information, so I will re-post it.

The importance of a role-player is commonly overlooked. They deliver when you need them, but they don’t play everyday, or enough to make All-star teams, and don’t make big pay checks, which leaves them out of the spotlight. However, they can easily change an outcome, which they commonly do.

Take the 2004 Boston Red Sox as an example. The team was loaded with stars (Ortiz, Pedro, Manny, Varitek, Damon, Schilling). But when the entire season’s work was on the line, a man making less than a million bucks came through: Dave Roberts.

Trailing by one in the ninth inning of game four, just an inning from elimination, he came in to run for Kevin Millar. Mariano Rivera twice attempted to pick him off with no avail, and Roberts took off on the first pitch, beating Jorge Posada’s near perfect throw by centimeters. Roberts scored from there on Bill Mueller’s line drive, tying the game, which allowed Ortiz to win the game three innings later. In the eighth inning of the following game, Roberts again came in to replace Millar. Pitcher Tom Gordon was so paranoid by Dave’s presence he threw three consecutive balls in the dirt. When he finally got a strike, Roberts was off, racing to third on Nixon’s single, and later scoring the tying run on a Jason Varitek sacrifice fly. Five innings, later, thanks to Roberts, David Ortiz was able to win it again.

Avid baseball fans remember these events. Just as they remembered how Herb Washington, a track star with no baseball experience, was hired as a “designated pinch-hitter” for the Athletics in 1974 and 1975, appearing in 105 games despite lacking a defensive inning or at-bat. They remember how Manny Mota, Gates Brown, Rusty Staub, and Lenny Harris were excellent pinch-hitters. They know how important these guys are to winning a championship.
PH OBP Bunt Singles PH PA SB as a Sub
2008 Rays 298 21 131 5
2007 Rays 253 9 69 1

The Rays do too. When you don’t have much money to spend, you can’t buy big name players. You have to change the management’s style. Look at these differences (PH = pinch-hitters).

So, who are the role players in the game today? Willie Bloomquist and Eric Bruntlett play every infield and outfield position, Mike Redmond bats .268 against righties and .331 against southpaws, Joey Gathright is an excellent pinch-runner, Brad Ausmus is a defensive upgrade to basically any catcher, and Johnny Gomes can give a manager more power. These aren’t the only guys, though. Alex Cora, Ryan Spilborghs, Eric Hinske, Omar Infante, Brett Gardner, Joey Inglett, Alex Amezaga, Hector Luna, Jolbert Cabrera, Willie Harris, Mark Loretta, Matt Stairs, Mark DeRosa and Greg Norton – all guys who are unknown to many fans – also can be called role-players.

All in All, these underrated players are needed on a championship team, and most helpful to teams like the Rangers, who don’t have many big-name stars.


*This post was written by Connor Reed*

Redsox Acquire Alex Gonzalez

The Redsox made a trade today, acquiring Alex Gonzalez from the Cincinnati Reds. Gonzalez, an often injured defensive whiz at short, will get the majority of the playing time at short, with Nick Green backing him up.

To be completely honest I do not see this as an upgrade for the Redsox. Green is a great defensive player, also and he has been hitting better.

Predicting how the Yankees Playoffs May Play Out

The Yankees completed a four-game sweep of the Boston Redsox last night. That got me thinking....if the playoffs were played starting tonight....how would the Yankees fair?

First of all...here would be the playoff matchups.

1. NYY
vs.
3. DET

2. LAA
vs.
4. BOS

So...lets say the Yankees play the Tigers. Here's what the pitching matchups would be:

GAME 1: CC Sabathia vs. Justin Verlander

This matchup was played out earlier in the year at Yankee Stadium and the Yankees won that game 2-1. Still, Verlander and CC are both aces, but I'd call this even. I'm going to give the Yankees the win on this one.

GAME 2: A.J. Burnett vs. Edwin Jackson

This is another great matchup of aces. Jackson pitched against the Yankees twice this season, losing one and getting a no-decision in the other. Through the two games combined Jackson pitched 13 Innings giving up 9 Hits and 2 Runs. Burnett faced the Tigers once (I was there) pitching 6 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits in a No-decision. He was not all that great. I'm going to give Jackson the win in this one.

GAME 3: Jarrod Washburn vs. Andy Pettite

I'm giving Pettite the start in case the Yankees want Joba to get extra rest. Washburn has had a great year, but he is struggling of late. Pettite has had a rough year but is amazing of late. Still, I will give the win to Pettite due to his proven post-season track record.

Game 4: Rick Porcello vs. Joba Chamberlain

Both pitchers are young phenoms that will one day probably (hopefully) be game one starters. I'll give the Yankees and Joba the win, though.

*Based on records as of this day I have the Angels beating the Redsox*

Game 1: CC Sabathia vs. John Lackey

I'll give Lackey the win, beware Lackey, he is playing for a contract.

Game 2: A.J. Burnett vs. Jered Weaver

I'm a big Jered Weaver supporter, as I believe he is one of the best in the game. I think that Weaver loses this game, however, as A.J. Burnett pitches a solid game.

Game 3: Joe Saunders (healthy) vs. Andy Pettite

I don't care how much Joe Saunders struggles, or battles with injuries, I still think he is a great pitcher. I can see Pettite struggling against LA, with his career ERA vs. LA is 4.70.

Game 4: Ervin Santana vs. Joba Chamberlain (or possibly CC Sabathia)

Whichever one of CC or Joba pitches...will be firing. They won't let themselves lose this game.

Past that game the series repeats itself pitchers wise, which makes it too difficult to predict.

I will leave you with this stat, though: The Yankees 4 main starters (CC, A.J., Joba, Pettite) have a combined 4.50 ERA vs. the Redsox, Angels, and Tigers.

Look Back-Mike Lowell

In the first part of my look back series, I will examine what could have been if the Yankees signed Mike Lowell back in 2007.

Lets say the Yankees sign Lowell to the reported offer of 4 years $60 Million. Here is most likely what would have happened since.

YANKEES TRADE EITHER HIDEKI MATSUI OR JOHNNY DAMON.

The Yankees would have two all-star capable Left-Fielders. The Giants were reportedly interested in a Matsui-for-Matt Cain swap, as were the Yankees. With no Lowell, though, the Yankees had Giambi at 1st and Matsui/Damon at DH. *In Peter Abraham's article he says the Yankees could have gotten both Matt Cain and Noah Lowry for Matsui....what a trade. *Also check out the bottom where a Tim Lincecum for Alex Rios trade was being proposed. Blue Jays probably still crying over that one.

YANKEES DON'T SIGN ONE OF MARK TEIXEIRA, or ALEX RODRIGUEZ.

With Mike Lowell's giant contract and Teixeira or Rodriguez's giant contract, they couldn't afford all three.

REDSOX SIGN ONE OF MARK TEIXEIRA, or ALEX RODRIGUEZ.

Makes perfect sense. Whichever is left over from the Yankees goes to the Redsox.

So lets recap. Here are the possible lineups.

WITH LOWELL AND TEIXEIRA

1. Jeter SS
2. Damon DH
3. Teixeira 1B
4. Posada C
5. Cano 2B
6. Lowell 3B
7. Swisher RF
8. Cabrera LF
9. Gardner CF

SP: Matt Cain

WITH LOWELL AND RODRIGUEZ

1. Jeter SS
2. Damon DH
3. Lowell 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Cano 2B
6. Posada C
7. Swisher RF
8. Cabrera LF
9. Gardner CF

Both lineups look much worse than their current one, while the 2nd one has back-to-back hip surgery patients.

So even though the Yankees might have a better rotation....I am very happy the Yankees did not sign Mike Lowell back in 2007.

Suggestion to the Redsox

In the first-part of my suggestion series I have a suggestion to the Redsox.

The Redsox need a capable MLB shortstop that can play every day. Sure, Nick Green has been pretty good, but they need a starting shortstop. The Redsox did claim Christian Guzman off waivers, but we do not know what will become of that. Guzman, 31, has 2 years (including this year) left on his contract. I do not believe he is the answer.

What I do believe is that the Redsox need to trade a top prospect, such as a Michael Bowden, Lars Anderson, or even Jacoby Ellsbury for Yunel Escobar of the Braves.

While I do not know if the Ellsbury-Escobar trade would work salary and teams agreeing wise, I do believe this fits the needs of both teams. The Braves need an MLB Outfielder that is young and lively, while the Redsox need a shortstop of the same kind. I would do it if I was either team, personally.

Preparing for Boston

With the Yankees victory and the Redsox loss tonight, the Yankees head into their 4 game series against the Redsox 2 1/2 games ahead of their rivals from Beantown.

SERIES PREVIEW:

Thursday: John Smoltz (2-4 7.12 ERA) AT Joba Chamberlain (7-2 3.58 ERA)

For Thursdays game I predict that the Yankees will take an early 2-0 lead and hold on with a strong performance from Chamberlain. After a little bit of troubles, Joba goes 6 IP with 2 ER, as the Yankees win 6-2.

FRIDAY: Josh Beckett (13-4 3.27 ERA) AT A.J. Burnett (10-5 3.89 ERA)

On Friday the Yankees will struggle against Beckett. With the bats trying to come alive, and failing, Burnett is under too much pressure. Burnett falters, giving up 4 ER in 6 IP. The Yankees lose to the Redsox 5-4 after a late rally.

SATURDAY: Clay Buchholz (1-1 6.05 ERA) AT CC Sabathia (11-7 3.95 ERA)

Saturday will be a pitchers duel between the reigning Cy-Young and the possible future Cy-Young. After 6 scoreless innings the Yankees get on the board with a 2-run 7th inning. The Yankees go on to win 3-2.

SUNDAY: Jon Lester (9-7 3.79 ERA) AT Andy Pettite (9-6 4.35 ERA)

The Series wraps up on Sunday with a battle of southpaws. My prediction is that the Redsox will win 8-5 after shaky performances by both Lester and Pettite.