NEW YORK YANKEES
Johnny Damon, DH
Derek Jeter, SS
Bobby Abreu, RF
Álex Rodríguez, 3B
Xavier Nady, LF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Richie Sexson, 1B
Melky Cabrera, CF
Jose Molina, C
BOSTON RED SOX
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Manny Ramirez, LF
Mike Lowell, 3B
J.D. Drew, RF
Jason Varitek, C
Alex Cora, SS
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
PREGAME NOTES:
- Alex Rodriguez turns 33 years old today. In case you were wondering, he has hit 5 long balls on his birthday - which is tied for most all-time with Derrek Lee and Al Simmons.
- Yanks have won 8 straight games and 13 of 16. They have also beaten the Red Sox 4 straight times and now hold a 6-5 season series edge with 6 games to go after tonight.
- Yanks have won all four games Ponson has started and has been the beneficiary of a ton of run support (10.3 runs per game).
- Robinson Cano is 18-for-35 (.514 / .528 / .857) with 3 homers, 3 doubles, 10 RBI, and 6 runs scored over his last 8 games.
Yankee pitchers are leading the world with a 1.56 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP since the All Star Break (75 IP, 61 H, 13 ER, 18 BB, 83 K). Wow. - Sidney Ponson is a lifetime 3-11, 6.61 ERA, 1.75 WHIP in 20 starts against the Red Sox and a lifetime 2-4, 7.16 ERA, 1.80 WHIP in 9 starts at Fenway. Yikes.
Jon Lester is a lifetime 1-0, 4.97 ERA, 1.42 WHIP in 2 starts against the Yanks. He is 4-1, 2.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP in 10 starts this season at Fenway.
Red Sock hitters vs. Ponson can be viewed here. Yanks' hitters vs. Lester can be viewed here.