AL East Chase heats up

Well, it's once again time for arguably, the best rivalry in sports. Starting tonight and going on til Sunday, the New York Yankees will be taking on the Boston Rex Sox at Fenway Park. Before Thursday's loss against the Blue Jays, the Yankees were probably the hottest team in baseball, winning 7 games in a row. The Red Sox have been hot as well, winning 9 of their last 12 games. As it stands right now, Boston has a 5.5 game lead over the Yankees. If New York pulls off the sweep, they bring the Sox's lead to 2.5. Right now, Boston has the magic number at 11 games to clinch the AL East. If the Yankees can win at least 2 of the 3 games this weekend, I believe that New York will pull the turnaround and win the division because their schedule is much easier.

New York after this series plays 3 games vs Baltimore, 4 games vs. Toronto, 3 games at Tampa Bay, and then 3 games at Baltimore. The Sox have to deal with 3 games at Toronto, 3 games at Tampa Bay, 2 games vs Oakland, and then 4 games vs Minnesota.

My predictions???

Friday - Pettitte vs Matsuzaka
Recent talks with reporters indicate that Andy Pettitte is seriously considering retirement this coming Winter. Daisuke, however, struggles vs. the Yankees despite winning 2 games and losing 1. Matsuzaka gives up an an ERA of 6.98 average against the Yankees in those 3 games. Pettitte has been fabulous the last ten games. Pettitte has won 8 of his last 10 games, pitching with an ERA of 3.78. Daisuke only has 3 wins in his last 10 starts with an ERA of 4.44. I'm going with Pettitte to win the pitching battle and Yankees to win the opener.

[UPDATE]- -FINAL: Yankees 8 Red Sox 7 (Red Sox 4.5 game lead in the AL East)

Saturday - Wang vs Beckett
What a great pitching battle between 2 AL Cy Young candidates. Wang, like Pettitte, has won 8 of his last 10 starts, pitching with a 3.69 ERA. Beckett was victorious 6 of his last 10 starts, but doing it with only an ERA of 3.27. I'm giving the nod to Wang in this one. New York will come out on top.

[UPDATE]- -FINAL: Yankees 1 Red Sox 10 (Red Sox 5.5 game lead in the AL East)

Sunday - Clemens vs Schilling
Both pitchers have been struggling as of late. Roger has 4 wins, while Curt has 3 wins (both over 10 games.). Schilling has a better ERA though in the stretch 3.93 vs Roger's 4.45. I like Schilling in this game and Boston in this game as well.

[UPDATE]- -FINAL: Yankees 4 Red Sox 3 (Red Sox 4.5 game lead in the AL East)

Now I've been talking a lot about the pitching, but really it is the only question mark to the series. And really it's not even a question mark. The batting line-up for both teams are sensational and they will produce runs no matter what. So America, sit back, relax, and watch the rivalry, the passion, the drama that is Yanks vs Sox.