Sox V. Yankees Game 2 Preview

First off, I want to send a special greeting to all my visitors from Taiwan. I hope you keep coming back so we can all celebrate our love of Wang together.

Today's lineups w/ career #s against opposing pitchers:

Yankees
Johnny Damon LF .238 5-21 w/ 3 2B, 2B B, 5 K
Melky Cabrera CF .318 7-22 w/ 1 2B, 1 BB, 5 K
Bobby Abreu RF .180 9-50 w/ 2 2B, 2 HR, 18 BB, 17 K
Alex Rodriguez 3B .223 6-22 w/2 2B, 1 HR, 4 BB, 6 K
Jason Giambi 1B .333 5-15 w/ 2 HR, 5 BB, 5 K
Jorge Posada DH .400 6-15 w/1 2B, 1 BB, 3 K
Robinson Cano 2B .389 7-18 w/ 2 2B, 1 HR, 4 K
Jose Molina C .000 0-3 w/ 2 K
Alberto Gonzalez SS .000 0-0

SP:Mike Mussina

Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury CF 0-0
Dustin Pedroia 2B .375 3-8 w/ 1 K
David Ortiz DH .259 14-54 w/ 3 HR, 6 BB, 19 K
Manny Ramirez LF .253 24-95 w/ 5 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 8 BB, 20 K
Kevin Youklis 3B .267 4-15 w/ 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K
J.D. Drew RF .000 0-7 w/ 1 K
Jason Varitek C .133 8-60 w/ 1 HR, 4 BB, 25K
Sean Casey 1B .375 3-8 w/ 1 HR
Julio Lugo SS .267 8-30 w/ 2 2B, 1 HR, 4 K

SP:Josh Beckett

This from a post yesterday regarding the pitching matchup:

Mike Mussina (1-1, 3.09 ERA) vs Josh Beckett (0-1, 9.64 ERA)This game is a total question mark. Which version of each pitcher will show up? Moose has done well so far but we saw this from him last year. He'd have a string of good outings followed by a string of poor ones. Moose has done pretty well in his career vs. Boston. He's 19-15 with an ERA of 3.66 in 52 career starts. Different times, different teams, different Moose. So who knows? Beckett's spring was cut short by back problems and that might cause problems for the Sox ace. The weather forecast for Saturday is a high of 49 and showers. It's not ideal weather for either but I think it would have more of an impact on Beckett than it would Mussina. Beckett's first start was in a temperature controlled climate (Rogers Centre in Toronto). He hasn't been subjected to the elements yet. It could bring up more back problems if he's not fully recovered. The Yankees have also been able to hit Beckett. The old Yankee killer ain't what he used to be. Beckett has a career ERA of 6.56 against the Yankees. His career WHIP against them is 1.74 with an OBA of .303. Not too shabby. But again, the games aren't played on paper.

Random notes:

• Jose Molina has hit safely in his 7 starts this year and in 19 of his 23 career starts with the Yankees I've said it before, I'll say it again. I love Jose Molina. Best. Backup. Ever.
• The Yanks have 5 wins this season when scoring 4 runs or fewer. They were 12-49 last year when scoring 4 or less. It really is hard to believe they're 6-5. It's all about the pitching.
• The Yankees still don't have a stolen base and have been out stolen-based 14-0. That stat would be so much worse if Molina hadn't thrown out 50% of basestealers. In 12 attempts, he's gunned down 6. Just another reason why I love Jose.

Prediction: Moose pitches well and Yankees win. Thuhh Yankees win.

Enjoy the game.