GAME 156: Yankees vs Red Sox

YANKEES (99-56)
Jeter SS
Gardner CF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Swisher RF
Cano 2B
Cabrera LF
Molina C

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (13-7, 4.15).

RED SOX (91-63)
Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Bay LF
Youkilis 1B
Ortiz DH
Lowell 3B
Drew RF
Varitek C
Gonzalez SS

Pitching: RHP Paul Byrd (1-2, 6.04).

For the Division: The Yankees magic number is down to 1. A win today and they can break out the champagne to celebrate their 100th victory and AL East divisional title. It makes it that much more sweeter that they can do it to complete a sweep of the Red Sox.


Dominating the Sox: The Yankees have won 6 straight home games against the Red Sox, the most since 2001. They have won 7 of their last 8 against them and have closed the season series from 8-0 to 9-8.

It is raining in the Bronx but they will play this game because there is simply no other time to make it up. The Yankees need to be careful if they play in poor conditions to make sure nobody gets hurt. At this point staying healthy should be the number one priority for the players and a game in these conditions puts that at risk.

On a somewhat unrelated note, I'll probably be watching football today, but if FOX shows the Pats over the Giants here in Hamden, CT, I'll probably be watching the Yankees and try and get in some updates.