Game 57: Red Sox at Yankees - The Iggy Shuffle
Ben Whitehead
Contributing Writer
It will be up to Felix Doubront and Clay Buchholz for the Red Sox (33-23) to walk out of New York with a series win. The Yankees (31-23) won Friday’s opener 4-1 behind a dominating performance from CC Sabathia and a so-so one from Jon Lester to pull within one game of the AL East-leading Red Sox. With Jacoby Ellsbury out of the lineup for a second straight game, it will be up to someone else to provide the spark needed to get the bats going for Boston.
Doubront is tonight’s starter. He is 3-2 with a 5.29 ERA and has struck out 18 batters in 17 innings over his last three starts. His ERA in that span is 3.18 and he is 1-1 with a 2.73 ERA against the Yankees.
Here is how the Sox lineup stacks up tonight (first pitch – 7:15 pm EDT):
1. Nava, LF
2. Carp, RF
3. Pedroia, 2B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Drew, SS
7. Saltalamacchia, C
8. Iglesias,3B
9. Bradley Jr., CF
Doubront, P
Phil Hughes counters for the Yankees. He is 2-3 on the season with a 4.97 ERA, but has allowed just three runs in his last 13 innings (two starts).
Iggy takeover
This is by no means stating that Jose Iglesias should replace Will Middlesbrooks or Stephen Drew, but the kid is on fire at the Major League level. He went 2-for-3 last night and is .435 on the season (14 games, 46 ABs), while holding his own defensively at third base. It may be time for Iggy to remain with the club as the utility player in the infield.
Pedroia is Boston Strong
Dustin Pedroia continues to impress with every game he plays. We heard about the torn ligament in his thumb that he’s played with every game of the season and we’ve seen his hustle and passion night in and night out. Apparently he didn’t like his batting average being below .330. It was .329 going into last night following a 1-for-5 performance Thursday against the Phillies. He proceeded to go 3-for-4 with two doubles in Friday’s loss and raised his average to .336.
Let us know what you think about tonight’s game by commenting below.
Like what you read? See more from Ben here.
As always, give me a shout on Twitter: @thebenwhitehead
Contributing Writer
It will be up to Felix Doubront and Clay Buchholz for the Red Sox (33-23) to walk out of New York with a series win. The Yankees (31-23) won Friday’s opener 4-1 behind a dominating performance from CC Sabathia and a so-so one from Jon Lester to pull within one game of the AL East-leading Red Sox. With Jacoby Ellsbury out of the lineup for a second straight game, it will be up to someone else to provide the spark needed to get the bats going for Boston.
Doubront is tonight’s starter. He is 3-2 with a 5.29 ERA and has struck out 18 batters in 17 innings over his last three starts. His ERA in that span is 3.18 and he is 1-1 with a 2.73 ERA against the Yankees.
Here is how the Sox lineup stacks up tonight (first pitch – 7:15 pm EDT):
1. Nava, LF
2. Carp, RF
3. Pedroia, 2B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Drew, SS
7. Saltalamacchia, C
8. Iglesias,3B
9. Bradley Jr., CF
Doubront, P
Phil Hughes counters for the Yankees. He is 2-3 on the season with a 4.97 ERA, but has allowed just three runs in his last 13 innings (two starts).
Iggy takeover
This is by no means stating that Jose Iglesias should replace Will Middlesbrooks or Stephen Drew, but the kid is on fire at the Major League level. He went 2-for-3 last night and is .435 on the season (14 games, 46 ABs), while holding his own defensively at third base. It may be time for Iggy to remain with the club as the utility player in the infield.
Pedroia is Boston Strong
Dustin Pedroia continues to impress with every game he plays. We heard about the torn ligament in his thumb that he’s played with every game of the season and we’ve seen his hustle and passion night in and night out. Apparently he didn’t like his batting average being below .330. It was .329 going into last night following a 1-for-5 performance Thursday against the Phillies. He proceeded to go 3-for-4 with two doubles in Friday’s loss and raised his average to .336.
Let us know what you think about tonight’s game by commenting below.
Like what you read? See more from Ben here.
As always, give me a shout on Twitter: @thebenwhitehead