Win And We're In
Game Info
Date: Sunday, October 2nd, 2005
First Pitch: 2:05 pm ET
TV: NESN, ESPN
Starting Pitchers:
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/5839.jpghttp://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/TALKSOX/VS.GIFhttp://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/4267.jpg
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/nyy.gif #33 Jaret Wright (5-4, 5.97)
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif #38 Curt Schilling (7-8, 5.98)
A win punches Red Sox's playoff ticket
New York (95-66) at Boston (94-67), 2:05 p.m. ET
After all the ups and downs of the 2005 season, the Red Sox will show up to work for their final game of the regular season with one thought on their minds: Win, and get in.
That's right, a victory secures the American League Wild Card berth for the Red Sox for the third year in a row. Even with a loss, they can clinch if the Guardians also lose to the White Sox. If the Red Sox lose and the Guardians win, Boston will host Cleveland on Monday for a one-game playoff.
The Red Sox will do their best to avoid that when they send Curt Schilling to the mound against Jaret Wright of the Yankees.
While the Red Sox still have so much on the line, the urgency has been taken out of the equation for the Yankees, who clinched the American League East title on Saturday.
Though Schilling has had a rocky season, the Red Sox are confident in sending one of the league's premier big-game pitchers to the mound.
"I think when Schil takes the mound, he takes the mentality that every game he pitches is the biggest game of his career," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "He'll find a reason to make it a big game. I don't think he's going to have to do a whole lot of thinking for [sunday]."
While the Red Sox do have the fallback of a one-game playoff, they'd much prefer to avoid it and head to Chicago for the Division Series, which would start on Tuesday against the White Sox.
"[On Sunday], we have to come out and try to win that game no matter what," said Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz. "We're facing a good situation still. I'd rather win that game [sunday] than just be waiting. In a one-game series or situation, anything can happen. You don't want to do that."
Pitching matchup
NYY: RHP Jaret Wright
• 5-4, 5.97 ERA in 2005
• 1-0, 3.60 ERA vs. BOS in 2005
BOS: RHP Curt Schilling
• 7-8, 5.98 ERA in 2005
• 1-2, 5.17 ERA vs. NYY in 2005
Player to watch
Sox leadoff man Johnny Damon is a .353 hitter lifetime against Wright.
Quotable
"We all know the circumstances. It's a little unique. We have to prepare to pack to leave [for Chicago], because we expect to win. If we don't, then you do whatever you're supposed to do." -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona
Quick hits
Manny Ramirez and Ortiz have combined to hit 91 homers in 2005, including 20 in the last 21 games. ... Damon has stolen at least one base in his last three games. ... The Red Sox have scored 900 runs or more the last three seasons.