Tonight, the owners of MLB's best record are poised to sweep their storied rivals and closest competitors.
It's good to be young, and a Yankee.
The Bombers look to Andy Pettitte to dominate the Red Sox. In their last meeting, Pettitte allowed 3 runs on 6 hits and 4BB over 6 innings of work; solid but unspectacular.
Expect the lefty's focus to be ratcheted up tonight: he takes ownership of the Yankees' impressive 24 consecutive scoreless innings streak, a 6 game win streak, and a chance to bury Boston.
A win tonight would put the Red Sox out of the division race for the time being, and into a thick wildcard race with Texas and the Rays.
But first, the Yankees must face down one of the best young pitchers in baseball, Jon Lester.
Last season, the cancer survivor threw an incredible 210 innings to a 1.27 WHIP, and he's proving no fluke in 2009. He's on pace for another 210 innings with a 1.29 WHIP. The catch: he's already surpassed his strikeout total from last season. This season, he's striking out more than a batter per inning.
I'm glad Posada rested yesterday, because the Yankees are going to need all of their patience and all of their power to beat the Red Sox tonight.