Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees

The Yankees will try and beat the Red Sox for the first time this season and tonight may be their best chance. Joba is flying high pitching the best he has in his career as a starter and John Smoltz looks old and washed up. I think this is the most important game of the series as the Yankees need to stop hearing about how they can't beat the Sox. Here are the pregame notes and lineup via the Lohud Yankees Blog. Joba is 3-0 with a 0.83 era since the all star break. He has allowed 8 hits over 21 2/3 innings with 8 walks and 19 strikeouts. Joba is 2-1 with a 3.49 era in his career against the Sox. Joba as a starter in his career is 10-3 with a 3.27 era. The debate will never end but this is where he belongs in my opinion, he will get better and better and has the potential to be a #1 starter. The Yankees have won 14 of 19 and 25 of their last 35. The Red Sox are 7-10 since July 17 and 24-20 since June 13th. MO has gone 19 1/3 innings without allowing a run. He has 18 strikeouts in that time. Nick Swisher is heating up going 11 for his last 34 with 6 xbh. Johnny Damon is 10 of his last 22 with 2 homeruns and 6 rbi's. A-rod is way overdue going 61 at bats without a homerun which is the longest of his Yankees career. Yankees Lineup: Jeter(SS) Damon(LF) Tex(1B) A-rod(3B) Matsui(DH) Posada(C) Cano(2B) Swisher(RF) Cabrera(CF) Boston Lineup: Ellsbury(CF) Pedroia(2B) Martinez(C) Youkilis(LF) Ortiz(DH) Drew(RF) Lowell(3B) Kotchman(1B) Lowrie(SS)