Game 157 Preview: Red Sox at Yankees



The Red Sox were eliminated last night, but it wasn't the result of the effort they've been bringing to the diamond over the last 4 games. The Astros won late last night and ended the very remote chances of the Sox winning out and Astros losing out as well. But the team has won their last 4 games in a row and have only given up 1 run in 38 innings, which is a huge credit to the pitching staff as they finish up the disappointing season. The Yankees are still trying to lock down the Wild Card top spot and will have a chance tonight with Michael Pineda (12-8 3.99) on the mound. Pineda is 2-0 against the Sox this season with a 1.42 ERA.

The Sox will counter with Rick Porcello (8-14 5.04) getting the start as he tries to continue the recent success that the pitching has been on. Porcello came back from the DL at the end of August and has made 6 starts since returning going 3-3 with a 2.98 ERA. He will have to worry about Jacoby Ellsbury tonight, who in just 22 plate appearances, is hitting .524 with 4 solo homers and a double. He hasn't pitched well in Yankee Stadium either, going 0-2 in 3 career starts with an ERA of 5.29.

Here is tonight's Red Sox lineup:

Betts (CF)
Pedroia (2B)
Bogaerts (SS)
Ortiz (DH)
Shaw (1B)
Holt (RF)
Swihart (C)
Marrero (3B)
Bradley Jr (LF)

Quick Hits:

- The Yankees are just one win away from becoming the first AL team with 10,000 regular season wins
- Xander Bogaerts collected 2 more hits last night and is now 8 away from 200, and it hitting .384 in his last 17 games
- Brett Gardner has the worst batting average in the AL since the All Star break, hitting just .203, Brian McCann is 2nd worst at .209

Have a question for Mike during the game or whenever a baseball discussion is going on, reach out via Twitter: @86flynn