This weekend's series between the Yankees and Red Sox may seem insignificant to most, but the series can be a huge tell-tale for the post-season.
For one, both teams will get to test out their pitching against one another to see who will be reliable come October. For the Yankees, they got an answer with A.J. Burnett from his last 2 outings which were both solid. The latter of the 2 most encouraging because it was on the road against the dreaded Angels. But this weekend is a different animal with the Yankees needing strong outings from both Joba Chamberlain and Andy Pettite in order to put their minds at ease. Joba has struggled this season but throughout his career he has shown the capability to rise to the occasion, and has had a couple of great starts against the Red Sox. For Pettite you know what you are going to get but it is a matter how healthy his shoulder is.
In my opinion the Yankees might be better off going with a combination of Gaudin/Aceves in a Game 4 situation if they make it to the ALCS and/or World Series. I think that a bullpen of Robertson, Coke, Joba, Hughes, and Mo would be unstoppable. It would only require 5 or 6 innings out of your starter, particularly if the Yankees can continue to produce runs.
This series holds importance because it is essentially a playoff series. The Yankees want the sweep so that they can win AL East title that has eluded them the last two years. And while Boston may claim that getting into the postseason via the Wild Card would be satisfactory for them, you know they would love to put a sweep on the Yankees and take the division race down to the wire. For them and Yankees, it is the difference between having a 5 game series with home field against either the Tigers or Twins, or having to face the Angels in a 5 game set starting in Anaheim.
It is also important to see how the new comers and young players perform in what will be a playoff atmosphere this weekend at the new Yankee Stadium. Players such as Billy Wagner, Victor Martinez, and Clay Buccholz for the Red Sox. And players like C.C. Sabbathia, Mark Teixeira, Bret Gardener, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Coke, David Robertson, and Phil Hughes.
The most important performance is that of A-Rod. It may not be October, but he can help his October cause by having a big series like he did in the 4-game sweep back in August. I think that more than anyone, A-Rod needs momentum to carry him into the postseason for him to perform at his best, when it matters most.
Sunday will be a tough day if the Yankees win the first 2 as they will be playing at the same time as both the Giants and the Jets. Should be a great series and hopefully an ALCS preview.
Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!
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