http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/124071.jpghttp://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/TALKSOX/VS.GIFhttp://boston.redsox.mlb.com/images/gameday/mugshots/122332.jpg
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif Wells 12-6 4.24 era
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/nyy.gif Small 6-0 2.42 era
The two fierce rivals have officially engaged in a game of role reversal, and not only because the Red Sox are defending World Series champions for the first time in 86 years.
For the first time since 1995, the Red Sox go to Yankee Stadium in September as the leaders of the American League East. In most recent years, that distinction has gone to Joe Torre's Yankees.
With a four-game lead on the Yankees, the Sox will try to create further distance with their long-time nemesis, kicking off a three-game series at what should be an electric Yankee Stadium.
"The fun begins [Friday]," said Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar. "It will be a hell of a series. We're excited. The Sox roll into town for a nice, blue-sky series. Hopefully we'll get good weather and we can put on a nice show for everybody."
And David Wells, who pitched many big September games for the Yankees, will try to get his Red Sox off on the right foot in the series opener. He'll be opposed by Aaron Small, the right-hander who has pitched above and beyond expectations.
"When we go into an atmosphere like New York, tensions are going to be high," said Wells, who is 45-19 lifetime at Yankee Stadium. "It's going to be crazy. It's going to be like it has been for many, many years. Every game from this point on means a lot. They're 3 1/2 (now 4) out, so they're not out of it. We still have to battle. There's a long way to go."
It isn't just the image of Wells in a Red Sox uniform that creates an oddball feeling to this chapter of the rivalry. John Olerud, who helped the Yankees down the stretch last year, will be at first base for Boston.
And Mark Bellhorn and Alan Embree, two key members of Boston's 2004 title team, are now in Yankee Pinstripes.
"It's going to be strange," said Millar. "That's just the nature of the business. You just wish them luck, not against us."
Though the Red Sox could conceivably level the Yankees with a sweep, they go in not thinking about such possibilities.
"Obviously, you look at the standings to see where you are, but to be quite honest, this game is so humbling that things will change in a heartbeat," said Red Sox right fielder Trot Nixon.
"Just go day by day and you don't look ahead. The minute you start looking ahead, it gets turned upside down. Obviously, it's always a big series when we play these guys, and rightfully so. It will be a huge series again -- the top two teams, first- and second-place teams going at it. But other than that, that's about it."
The Yankees are having, at least by their standards, a down year. But Red Sox center fielder Johnny Damon still has full respect for his rivals.
Red Sox Coverage
• Wells readies for battle in the Bronx
• Singer: It's real, and it's spectacular
Yankees Coverage
• Small kicks off big series with Sox
• Singer: It's real, and it's spectacular
Season Series
• 07/17: Yankees 5, Red Sox 3
• 07/16: Yankees 7, Red Sox 4
• 07/15: Red Sox 17, Yankees 1
• 07/14: Yankees 8, Red Sox 6
• 05/29: Red Sox 7, Yankees 2
• 05/28: Red Sox 17, Yankees 1
• 05/27: Yankees 6, Red Sox 3
• 04/14: Red Sox 8, Yankees 5
• 04/13: Yankees 5, Red Sox 2
• 04/11: Red Sox 8, Yankees 1
• 04/06: Red Sox 7, Yankees 3
• 04/05: Yankees 4, Red Sox 3
• 04/03: Yankees 9, Red Sox 2
"You can't go into New York and make mistakes, because that's a team that can hurt you," said Damon. "We expect to go in and win. Their mentality is the same thing. It's going to be a pretty good series. In the past, we always knew we had to make up ground. Now we need to extend our ground."
Curt Schilling, looking for his first quality start of the season, will oppose Shawn Chacon on Saturday. The Sox will send veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield to the mound against Randy Johnson in Sunday's series finale.
The Yankees have taken seven of the first 13 meetings between the teams this season.
Pitching matchup
BOS: LHP David Wells
• 12-6, 4.24 ERA in 2005
• 2-1, 3.20 ERA vs. NYY in 2005
NYY: RHP Aaron Small
• 6-0, 2.42 ERA in 2005
• First appearance vs. BOS in 2005
Player to watch
Manny Ramirez, who has been in a hefty slump of late, has 22 homers at Yankee Stadium, the most he's clubbed in any visiting park.
Quotable
"We just have to play good baseball. The one thing we've done a good job of is not worrying about anybody else and taking care of ourselves. I thought we had a good homestand here. We've played good baseball. We've got to do the same in New York. It's always a great series. We just have to keep winning baseball games." -- Millar