With no apologies to any other city, Fenway Park is the center of the baseball universe today through Monday. Every other tilt in every other town is the JV.
Even after the putrid performance by the Yankees in yesterday’s 12-2 loss to the woeful Orioles at Yankee Stadium, New England’s living room will be amped.
How could it not be?
Five Yankees-Red Sox games beginning with a day/night twinbill today with first place in the AL East on the line in front of sold-out crowds thirsting for Yankee blood.
“We know it’s big and we know it could be for the division,” former Bosox Johnny Damon said of the marathon series.
While George Steinbrenner had little to say at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Yankee Stadium, The Boss’ lips were unlocked after yesterday’s miserable showing against the Orioles, who gave up on the season weeks ago.
“It’s going to be a tough series,” The Boss predicted. “We better play better than we did today. They didn’t look good, but we will be ready for them up there.” With MVP candidates David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez ready to devour Yankee pitching (don’t they always?), the Yankees better be ready. Their AL East lead was three games Wednesday; today it’s 1 1/2.
“It shouldn’t, not if you are a good team,” Joe Torre said when asked if yesterday’s debacle will affect the Yankees today. “We stunk today.” Alex Rodriguez, the main target of Fenway denizens abuse, deleted yesterday quickly. Especially he and Derek Jeter botching a pop that made the circus complete.
“Sometimes a game like this is easier to put behind than a 2-1 crusher,” A-Rod said. “It’s very important for us to play well [in Boston]. No matter if it’s June, July or August, it always comes down to the stretch.” The blood rivals have split 10 games this season and four at Fenway.
Since right fielder Bobby Abreu and first baseman Craig Wilson are Yankee-Red Sox virgins, Torre said he might let them know what Fenway has to offer.
Wilson already has a feeling.
“I have heard a little bit about it,” said Wilson, who as a Pirate never played a meaningful game after April. “It’s my understanding they don’t like us and vice versa.” Each team has missed chances to bury the other. The Red Sox didn’t capitalize on Hideki Matsui, Gary Sheffield and Robinson Cano missing extended time. The Yankees haven’t taken advantage of the Sox losing Trot Nixon, Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.
The Yankees’ largest deficit was four games and their biggest lead was three.
“It’s crazy every time we go up there,” Joe Torre said of visiting Fenway. “It certainly gets your attention.” Losing six of 10 is no way to enter Fenway to face Ortiz and Ramirez, who are hitting a combined .395 (30-for-76) with eight homers and 24 RBIs against the Yankees this year. They are batting .583 (14-for-24) with two homers and nine RBIs against Game 1 starter Chien-Ming Wang.
Neither of today’s pitching match ups injects a charge into anybody’s blood. Not when Sidney Ponson and Jason Johnson are on the docket, but not in the same tilt.
However, Randy Johnson against Josh Beckett tomorrow and Mike Mussina versus Curt Schilling Sunday night produce blood rushes.
Cory Lidle and David Wells on Monday don’t stir the juices, but by then four games will have been played and who knows what will have happened.
“Every game is Game 7,” Scott Proctor said.
That makes five Game 7s in four days and the reason every other city finishes second this weekend.
Additional reporting by Evan Grossman.
Probable starters
GAME 3
Tomorrow, 1:20
TV: Fox
Randy Johnson (13-9, 4.92) vs. Josh Beckett (13-9, 4.92)
GAME 4
Sunday, 8:05
TV: ESPN
Mike Mussina (13-5, 3.54) vs. Curt Schilling (14-5, 3.83)
GAME 5
Monday, 1:05
TV: YES
Cory Lidle (9-9, 4.64) vs. David Wells (2-2, 6.06)
Radio: All games on WCBS (880 AM)
GAME 1
Today, 1:05
TV: YES
Chien-Ming Wang vs. Jason Johnson
13-5, 3.84 3-11, 6.26
GAME 2
Tonight, 8:05
TV: Ch. 9
Sidney Ponson vs. Jon Lester
4-5, 5.82 6-2, 4.09 116
