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Smoltz to kick off crucial set with Yanks

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By Ian Browne / MLB.com

08/06/09 2:16 AM ET

ST PETERSBURG -- Whether he is ready or not, the glare that always accompanies a Red Sox-Yankees matchup is about to shine right in the direction of John Smoltz.

Much of Smoltz's legacy has been built on his performances in marquee matchups, as evidenced by his 15-4 record in the postseason.

But that resume was built at a different time, when Smoltz wasn't 42 years old and on the mend from his first right shoulder surgery.

So now, Smoltz is on a quest to prove himself again, and it starts with his first taste of the rivalry. And Smoltz is in a big spot, with the Red Sox trailing the Yankees by 2 1/2 games in the American League East, and not wanting that deficit to extend any more.

It's just that Smoltz, who is 2-4 with a 7.12 ERA in his first seven starts back from the disabled list, knows that he's not in a position to get caught up in the hype or the circumstances.

What he wants to do is pitch well. And if that trend starts against the Yankees on a night he is facing Joba Chamberlain, all the better.

"Certainly as a pitcher, you always want to rise to the occasion, and I would like to do that more than anybody in my next start," Smoltz said. "Just, at least if nothing else, get people to realize that I'm on pace to do the things that they brought me here to do. Now that's really what I've been thinking about all week -- just trying to improve on everything I've been doing."

What has kept Smoltz awake deep into the night following his starts is how close he has felt to having successful results. He is getting a hard lesson in the fine line between winning and losing.

"Storylines change with one pitch," said Smoltz. "People don't have the insight to be able to see how one pitch can affect the whole ballgame. As most people who have watched me know, I'm a pitcher who believes you make your own breaks. There haven't been any breaks yet."

This will be Smotlz's first appearance at the new Yankee Stadium. He pitched four times in the old venue, two of those occasions coming in the World Series.

He knows what to expect.

"It's the ultimate compliment to what they've created, and the aura to what they've created," Smoltz said. "You want to go in there and you know it's going to be a hostile environment with the rivalry that's been created here. I just want to do my part, I really do. I just want to keep it as quiet and as calm as possible, because you know that's not going to be the environment that dictates the rest of your success. Been there, done that, and I just want to do it again."

The Red Sox are 8-0 against the Yankees this season, a streak Smoltz hopes to extend.

Manager Terry Francona is keeping his usual tunnel vision mind-set entering the series.

"If we're concerned about this weekend, I don't know if we're going to put our best foot forward [Thursday]," Francona said. "We're going in and playing a team that probably feels really good about themselves. I think we're looking forward to it, like we always do."

Pitching matchup
BOS: RHP John Smoltz (2-4, 7.12 ERA)
The right-hander has been unable to establish any kind of rhythm in his first seven starts. He has yet to turn in a quality start. In his last outing against the Orioles, Smoltz gave up eight hits and five runs over six innings. The one thing Smoltz has had is pinpoint control, as he has walked just five batters in 30 innings. His biggest issue has been command, or lack thereof. This is the first time Smoltz has faced the Yankees since joining the Sox. Smoltz has only pitched two regular-season games against New York in his career, posting a 4.50 ERA in two no-decisions.

NYY: RHP Joba Chamberlain (7-2, 3.58 ERA)
Chamberlain turned in his best performance since being reinstated to the rotation on Wednesday, hurling eight innings of shutout ball in leading the Yankees to a 6-2 victory over the Rays at Tropicana Field. The 23-year-old limited Tampa Bay to just three singles in the contest -- two by Jason Bartlett -- facing the minimum through the first four frames and matching his career high in innings pitched. Chamberlain is 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA since the All-Star break.

Tidbits
Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield threw his first side session since being placed on the disabled list before Wednesday's game, but there's still no projected date for his return to action. ... J.D. Drew is 0-for-13 lifetime against Chamberlain, with six strikeouts. Dustin Pedroia is 6-for-12 against the power righty. ... Victor Martinez will make the start behind the plate, with Jason Varitek getting the night off.

Tickets
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On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
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On radio
• WRKO 680, SBN 1150 (Español)

Up next
• Friday: Red Sox (Josh Beckett, 13-4, 3.27) at Yankees (A.J. Burnett, 10-5, 3.89), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Red Sox (Clay Buchholz, 1-1, 6.05) at Yankees (CC Sabathia, 11-7, 3.95), 4:10 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Red Sox (Jon Lester, 9-7, 3.79) at Yankees (Andy Pettitte, 9-6, 4.35), 8:05 p.m. ET

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.