Game Two: New York - A.J. Burnett (10-15, 5.33) Boston - Daisuke Matsuzaka (9-6, 4.72)
(Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox will try to play spoiler today when they open their final series of the season with a doubleheader against the American League East-leading New York Yankees at Fenway Park.
This series was supposed to get underway on Friday, but heavy rain forced a delay of approximately 3 1/2 hours before the contest was postponed, making today's double-dip necessary.
"We did everything we could to play this game, and the Red Sox were great about it," Yankee manager Joe Girardi said. "It wouldn't have been our preference, but there's nothing we can do. You can't argue with Mother Nature."
New York, which clinched a spot in the postseason earlier in the week, moved a half game ahead of Tampa Bay in the division standings on Friday when the Rays lost to Kansas City.
The Yankees, though, must finish a game ahead of the Rays if they want to win the AL East outright since Tampa Bay, which has also clinched a playoff berth, won the season series, 10-8.
In the first game this afternoon New York turns to left-hander Andy Pettitte, who will be making his third start since returning from a two-month stint on the disabled list with a groin injury. Pettitte has been battling a sore back as well and was roughed up in his last start on Friday against the Red Sox, who battered him for seven runs (six earned) and 10 hits in just 3 1/3 innings.
"I wasn't able to really establish anything," said Pettitte, who is 11-3 with a 3.17 ERA on the year. My command wasn't that horrible as far as walking guys, but the command of my fastball wasn't that good when it was in the strike zone. I couldn't get anything going. I feel like I couldn't get into any rhythm."
Pettitte is 18-10 lifetime against the Red Sox with a 3.86 ERA in 38 games, 36 of which have been starts.
A.J. Burnett makes his final case to pitch in a meaningful postseason game for the Yankees in the nightcap. Burnett has been downright awful this season, going 10-15 with a 5.33 earned run average. He could not get out of the third inning on Monday in Toronto, as he was hit for seven runs and seven hits in just 2 1/3 frames.