Game Info
Date: Friday, September 30th, 2005
First Pitch: 7:05 pm ET
TV: WSBK / NESN, ESPN
Starting Pitchers:
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/7502.jpghttp://bellsouthpwp.net/c/h/chinigor/TALKSOX/VS.GIFhttp://i.a.cnn.net/si/images/baseball/mlb/players/4057.jpg
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/nyy.gif #40 Chien- Ming Wang (8-4, 4.02)
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/50x50/bos.gif #16 David Wells (14-7, 4.47)
Epic battle set to begin at Fenway Park
New York (94-65) at Boston (93-66), 7:05 p.m. ET
Score one for the schedule makers. The Red Sox and Yankees kick off one of the most anticipated three-game series to close out a regular season you will ever see, and it starts Friday night at Fenway Park.
The Yankees come to town leading the Red Sox by a mere game in the American League East. The Red Sox need to sweep the series to win the division and take two out of three to force a tie.
There is also the Wild Card standings to keep tabs on, as the Red Sox and Guardians are tied for the lead.
The Sox will send seasoned left-hander David Wells to the mound to open this crucial series between the epic rivals. The Yankees will counter with rookie Chien-Ming Wang.
"I'll tell you what, whoever brings the best pitching in this series is going to be the winner," said Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz. "The Yankees have been swinging the bat really good."
The Red Sox hope to keep riding Ortiz's bat. But in this series, they'll need a variety of players to step up.
There was a time when the Sox didn't think it would come down to this weekend. As recently as Sept. 8, Boston led the division by four games.
"We had it there to take and we didn't play well," said Red Sox right-hander Curt Schilling, who will pitch against Mike Mussina on Sunday. "To their credit, the Yankees have played through as much, if not more, adversity than we have. They've been decimated with injuries this year.
The Yankees have equal respect for the Red Sox.
"The Red Sox are such a great team," said Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi. "They don't quit. They proved that last year. They're hot, we're hot, so it should make for a good series."
Pitching matchup
NYY: RHP Chien-Mien Wang
• 8-4, 4.02 ERA in 2005
• 0-0, 3.86 ERA vs. BOS in 2005
BOS: LHP David Wells
• 14-7, 4.47 ERA in 2005
• 2-2, 4.26 ERA vs. NYY in 2005
Season Series
• 09/11: Yankees 1, Red Sox 0
• 09/10: Red Sox 9, Yankees 2
• 09/09: Yankees 8, Red Sox 4
• 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
Player to watch
Ortiz (47 homers, 146 RBIs) has three more games to cement his MVP candidacy. He has tormented the Yankees the last three years.
Quotable
"The energy, the media, the fans -- [it's] going to be awesome. One pitch, one inning, may the best team win." -- Kevin Millar
Quick hits
Ortiz's 11 homers in September are a club record. ... Manny Ramirez has gone deep nine times in the last 19 games. ... Johnny Damon has 10 hits in his last 28 at-bats. ... The Red Sox have won 15 consecutive one-run games at Fenway Park.
On deck
• Saturday: vs. Yankees, 1:20 p.m. ET
• Sunday: vs. Yankees, 2:05 p.m. ET