News
Beckett draws ace matchup in finale
New York (77-46) at Boston (70-52), 8:05 p.m. ET
By John Barone / MLB.com
08/22/09 10:42 PM ET
BOSTON -- Josh Beckett and CC Sabathia have faced each other before on a grand stage. Never, however, under the bright lights of the storied rivalry that is Red Sox-Yankees.That'll change on Sunday night at Fenway Park, where the 14-game winners will square off in their first meeting since Game 5 of the 2007 American League Championship Series.
Though the AL East race has become rather lopsided in favor of the Yankees, who currently sport a 6 1/2-game division lead, the standings will take a backseat in Sunday's series finale to a marquee matchup between two of baseball's best pitchers.
"They're both great pitchers who have great stuff," said Boston slugger Victor Martinez, who has had the privilege of catching both hurlers. "They're very focused on what they're doing. They know exactly what they're doing, and they're very tough."
Beckett has history on his side in recent head-to-head bouts with Sabathia, outdueling the 6-foot-7 lefty in Games 1 and 5 of the 2007 ALCS en route to series Most Valuable Player honors. The Red Sox's ace was particularly impressive in extending Boston's postseason on Oct. 18, 2007, in Cleveland, hurling eight innings of one-run ball against the Indians while piling up 11 strikeouts.
The Red Sox went on to win their second World Series title in four seasons, but Sabathia came away with his own piece of hardware later that fall. Despite Beckett's postseason performance, the 2007 Cy Young Award voters sided with Sabathia (19-7, 3.21 ERA) over Beckett (20-7, 3.27 ERA) by a considerable point margin (119-86).
On Sunday, they'll have an opportunity to show the baseball world just who the better pitcher really is.
"It's going to be a good one," Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. "They're the best in the game. It'll be fun."
Pitching matchupBOS: RHP Josh Beckett (14-4, 3.38 ERA)
Beckett allowed a season-high three home runs in a subpar outing, earning a no-decision in a 10-9 win over the Blue Jays on Tuesday at Rogers Centre. Beckett gave up seven earned runs in only 5 1/3 innings, marking his highest earned-run total and fewest innings pitched since April. He allowed nine hits but walked only one, striking out four. Beckett had a 15-inning scoreless streak on the road snapped when the Jays scored in the second frame. It was an atypical start for Beckett, who had allowed three or fewer runs in 15 of his past 18 starts, going 14-4 with an ERA of 2.17. The Red Sox ace is 2-0 in four starts against the Yankees this year, with an ERA of 4.13. NYY: LHP CC Sabathia (14-7, 3.58 ERA)
Sabathia conquered his demons from the Oakland Coliseum in his previous start, hurling eight innings and holding the A's to two solo homers as he improved to 4-0 in August. Sabathia scattered five hits, walking one and striking out seven. He has posted a 2.35 ERA and held opponents to a .185 batting average in 30 2/3 innings this month. Sabathia will be making his first start at Fenway Park since June 11, when he allowed four runs and six hits over seven innings to take a 4-3 loss. Tidbits
Shortstop Jed Lowrie could begin a Minor League rehabilitation assignment as soon as Monday. Placed on the disabled list on Aug. 8, retroactive to Aug. 7, with ulnar neuritis in his left wrist, Lowrie requested a few more days of "strengthening and mobility" before returning to game action, manager Terry Francona said. ... Designated hitter David Ortiz now has eight consecutive 20-home run seasons, seven of which have come as a member of the Red Sox. He joins Ted Williams (16), Dwight Evans (11), Jim Rice (11), Manny Ramirez (eight) and Carl Yastrzemski (eight) as the only players in club history to reach 20 homers seven or more times. ... With his 12th outfield assist of the year on Saturday, left fielder Jason Bay is one shy of his single-season career high of 13, set in 2007 with Pittsburgh. ... Boston has smacked at least two homers in each of its past eight contests, the longest such streak in franchise history. On the Internet
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• WRKO 680, SBN 1150 (Español) Up next
• Monday: Red Sox (Clay Buchholz, 2-3, 3.99) vs. White Sox (Freddy Garcia, 0-1, 10.38), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Red Sox (Jon Lester, 10-7, 3.58) vs. White Sox (Jose Contreras, 5-11, 5.13), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Red Sox (Tim Wakefield, 11-3, 4.31) vs. White Sox (Gavin Floyd, 10-8, 3.98), 7:10 p.m. ET
John Barone is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
