Let's Get It On

This is what we've all been waiting for. The first series with the rival Red Sox. I am pumped. I can't wait for tonight. Sox v. Yankees. It's what we live for.
Some people around here think I'm crazy. My boss asked me the other day if I watch Yankee games or Buffalo Sabres games when they play at the same time. Now I wear Yankee gear to work pretty much everyday, both during the regular season and in the off season as well. It was an easy question to answer. For those that don't know, the Sabres are currently in the 1st round of the NHL playoffs. They finished the season with the best record in hockey so expectations are high. The whole city is sick with "Sabres fever" and "Cup Fever." Except of course, for me. I didn't catch the fever. I didn't jump on the bandwagon like many in the area. I'm a Yankee fan tried and true. I will always choose the Yankees. Regardless of who they play, when they play, or where they play. I will always choose the Yankees. Sabres schambres.
Not many people are giving the Yankees a chance this weekend. The pitching matchups in this series overwhelmingly favor the Sox. Schilling v. Pettitte in game 1. As Sox fans call him Josh "The Front Runner for The Cy Young" Beckett against Jeff Karstens in game 2. And the series ends with Matsuzaka, who many predicted would win the Cy Young, against Double A rookie Chase Wright. Every member of the Red Sox Nation will tell you that they have the most wicked awesome pitching rotation in the universe. It'll be a lot of fun to watch the Yankee lineup destroy their pitching. The Yanks just need to stick to their game plan. Work the counts, get the pitches you like, drive up the pitch counts, chase the starters, and stick it to the bullpen.
Sox fans will easily dismiss the Yankees pitching staff as "mediocre." We Yankee fans know it's anything but. They may be hurt, they may be a little inexperienced, but they are far from mediocre. The Yankees have the 4th best ERA in the AL at 3.67, mere percentage points behind the White Sox. That's not mediocre. Throw out the first 5 games and the Yankees team ERA is 2.72. That's not mediocre. Comparatively, the Red Sox have a team ERA of 2.58, tops in the AL, and about a run per game better than the Yankees. In their last 9 games, the Sox team ERA is 1.89. Impressive, and again, about a run less than the Yankees. So the Sox have a better staff than the Yankees, I'll give them that. But is it that much better that one is superb and one is mediocre? Hardly. The tow teams are closer than a lot of people think. Advantage = Red Sox
Offensively, there really isn't any comparison. The Yankees are hitting an AL-leading .283. They lead the AL in OBP at .356. They rank 3rd in slugging (.442)and are tops in OPS (.798). They lead the AL in runs scored with 91, averaging 6.5 runs a game. They've scored 4 runs or more 13 times in 14 games, and 6 runs or more 8 times. The Sox on the other hand rank 7th in team batting average (.249), 5th in OBP (.331), 7th in slugging percentage (.395) and 6th in OPS (.726). They rank 8th in runs scored with 68, averaging 4.9 runs per game. They've scored 4 runs or more 9 times, and 6 runs or more 5 times. Nothing bad, nothing great. The Sox are currently a little better than average. Advantage = Yankees
So, who wins? Your guess is as good as mine. I predicted last week that the Sox would win 2 of 3, mainly because they're playing in Fenway. Even with the rookie pitchers on the mound, I feel pretty confident in the Yankees chances to take 2 of 3, if not sweep the series. A lot of people think good pitching will beat a great lineup, and a lot of times it will. But the Yankees have a good pitching staff. It's going to come down to who can score the runs, and right now, that advantage goes to the Yankees. "Hey Sox fans, great job, you held the Yankee offense to 3 runs. Too bad you only scored 2." 3 beats 2. Rock beats scissors. Yankees beat Red Sox. See my point?
Is it game time yet? I like our chances....especially with the shirt.
J