The Battle for...Second?: Yanks-Sox Gamer VI

Over the past decade, mid-season Yanks-Sox match-ups have often carried with them the aura of sparring matches between two heavyweight champs who know that, whatever happens, they'll be seeing each other again  - in September, maybe even October - when it really counts, and the gloves will come off.  Being perenially # 1 and # 2 in a division that has sent two teams to the playoffs 9 out of the 13 years that the wildcard has made that possible has undoubtedly lessened the urgency of scrapping to be # 1.

Well when you're reduced to scrapping for the # 2 spot, the gloves are already off.  This holiday weekend's 4-game set feels more like a do-or-die grudge match between two hungry and wounded predators then it does a dress rehearsal for an inevitable late-season showdown.

The Yankees are coming off a rough 5-7 stretch that they hope to have put behind them with last night's slugfest against the Rangers.  The Sox are coming off an even rougher 4-8 stretch punctuated by being swept for the second straight time this season at the Trop.

Facing off tonight in the Bronx for the second-to-last season series they will ever play there (wipes tear from eye) a lot is on the line for both.  The Sox are suddenly 3.5 out of first and need to get their heads' right after losing 5 straight.  They send southpaw Jon Lester to the mound in his first Yankee Stadium appearance to lead the way.  Lester faced the Yanks only once before - getting pounded for 7 runs in 3.2 IP back in 2006, but he is undoubtedly a better pitcher now and facing a heavily lefty Yankee lineup.

The Yankees need to get off on the good foot - they are a full 8 games in the loss column out of first and their performance in these 4 with Boston and the next 2 against Tampa Bay could land them in a much better - or much worse - place come the rapidly approaching all-star break.  Taking the mound to try to set the tone for the Yankees: Andy Pettitte, who is 15-6 in 29 career match-ups with the Sox.

Let the fireworks begin...and comment away!