Game 58: Early rubber match?

It's the battle of former Marlins as A.J. Burnett takes on Josh Beckett in Boston. Looking at the rest of the series, this game will likely be the closest. Wakefield has an advantage over Wang tomorrow, and Sabathia has the edge against Penny on Thursday; tonight looks like our best chance at taking the series.

Despite a mediocre ERA on the season (4.69), Burnett has pitched well recently, allowing only three runs in his last two games (13 innings) with 15 Ks and five walks. Of course, his last game against Boston was a disaster: Burnett was staked to a 6-0 lead but gave up eight runs. I'm expecting better this time - his career against Boston is quite good: 3.52 ERA in 61.1 innings, including a 5-0 record (and 2-0, 2.61 ERA in 27.2 innings last season with Toronto).

Beckett, outside of the 2003 World Series, has been a Yankee punching-bag: 5.80 ERA in 85.1 innings. In two starts this years, he's given up 11 runs in 11 innings. Despite that, he's always capable of dominating a lineup.

Cano, Swisher and Damon hit Beckett well, while Matsui and Tex struggle. On the flip-side, Bay and Pedroia kill Burnett, but Lowell and Youkilis labor against him.

PS: if you want to follow or chime in on the MLB amateur draft, check out the draft thread just below this.