The greatest sports rivalry in the world (at least right now in Gothamist's little world) starts another chapter Tuesday night in New York, as the Red Sox come to town for a three game series. The Yankees lost five of six earlier in the season to the arch-rival Sox, but now have a comfortable five and a half game lead in the AL East.
This showdown starts on Tuesday with Derek Lowe (6-6, 5.24) vs. Javier Vasquez (8-5, 3.38). Lowe has been extremely inconsistent this year, but his last three outings have been better. Vasquez has been the Yankees most consistent pitcher this year, and should be on his way to a 20 win season, but has suffered from the dreaded "low run support" disease.
Old nemesis, Tim Wakefield (4-5, 4.59) matches up against Jon Lieber (5-5, 5.26) in a game that should feature the offenses. Lieber has been finding a little too much o the plate lately and has been getting bombed Wakefield, a knuckle baller, has owned the Yankees with the exception of a certain hit in the playoffs last year. Speaking of that hit, Aaron Boone signed with Cleveland over the weekend.
Pedro Martinez (8-3, 3.73) and rookie Brad Halsey (1-1, 8.00) match up on Thursday night. It will be the first time the Yankees see Pedro since he blew up in game 7 last year. Pedro has been pitching very well of late, but that should not stop the Yankees who usually get the best of Pedro.
It is a fun and challenging week for Yankees fans, 6 games with the Mets and 3 with the Red Sox. You can't ask for anything better than that, can you?
