CATCHER
JORGE POSADA VS. JASON VARITEK:
These aging backstops still possess offensive skills, while their defense deteriorates.
EDGE: Even
FIRST BASE
MARK TEIXEIRA VS. VICTOR MARTINEZ:
With the recently acquired Martinez likely splitting time at first with Kevin Youkilis, the Red Sox can match Teixeira at the plate, but Teixeira’s glove is a bonus. Teixeira has settled into the middle of the Yankees lineup.
EDGE: Even
SECOND BASE
ROBINSON CANO VS. DUSTIN PEDROIA:
Cano has been solid of late and has so far avoided the lapses and miscues that plagued him a year ago. Pedroia, the reigning AL MVP, isn’t batting for as high an average as he did in 2008, but still helps make Boston’s offense go.
EDGE: Even
SHORTSTOP
DEREK JETER VS. JED LOWRIE:
The Red Sox have been a mess at this position all year and still haven’t found an answer, while Jeter continues to plug away in the leadoff spot.
EDGE: Yankees
THIRD BASE
ALEX RODRIGUEZ VS. KEVIN YOUKILIS:
The Yankees are still waiting for Rodriguez to break out this season and would be very pleased to have it happen this weekend. Youkilis can play both infield corner positions and has been his typical consistent threat at the plate.
EDGE: Even
LEFT FIELD
JOHNNY DAMON VS. JASON BAY
TBD: Bay, an All-Star, expects to miss the first two games after reinjuring his hamstring last night, while Damon is surging.
EDGE: Yankees
CENTER FIELD
MELKY CABRERA VS. JACOBY ELLSBURY:
Cabrera appears to be getting more comfortable with his full-time role. That issue has been settled for Ellsbury, who, although he doesn’t have quite as much power as Cabrera, creates havoc on the basepaths.
EDGE: Red Sox
RIGHT FIELD
NICK SWISHER VS. J.D. DREW:
Neither player is going to hit for much of an average, but they both provide patience and power at the plate. Swisher’s defense,
however, is lacking.
EDGE: Red Sox
DH
HIDEKI MATSUI VS. DAVID ORTIZ:
Matsui and Ortiz have struggled with consistency this season but
are still capable of doing damage. Whatever long-term effect, if any, there is on Ortiz — after he learned that his name was on the list of players who tested positive for PEDs in 2003 — remains to be seen.
EDGE: Even
STARTING PITCHERS
The Yankees will be able to go with their top four starters and skip Sergio Mitre in the series, while the Red Sox will have the struggling John Smoltz and Clay Buchholz going for them.
EDGE: Yankees
RELIEVERS
The Yankees’ bullpen is having a hard time after Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera, leaving the Red Sox deeper in this department.
EDGE: Red Sox
BENCH
The Yankees’ bench has been revamped with recent additions Eric Hinske and Jerry Hairston Jr., and there’s a significantly different look in Boston after the moves they made at the trade deadline. There is just no room in the starting lineup for players like Casey Kotchman and Mike Lowell, among others.
EDGE: Even
MANAGER
JOE GIRARDI VS. TERRY FRANCONA
Francona has won two World Series rings with the Red Sox while Girardi is still trying to manage in the playoffs for the first time. Francona will have to be creative with getting his players time on the field.
EDGE: Red Sox
INTANGIBLES
While the teams are neck-and-neck atop the AL East, the Red Sox have pushed the Yankees around this season, winning all eight previous games. However evenly they match up on paper, on the field, the Yankees have been no match. While that doesn’t figure to last all season — for the Yankees’ sake, it had better not — but until the Bombers get in the win column, the
pressure will be on them.
EDGE: Red Sox
