Game 110 Preview: Yanks Look To Take Series From Sox

Aug 2, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman

(15) is forced out by New York Yankees first baseman

(25) for the final out during the ninth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

After getting a much needed victory last night by a final score of 6-4, the New York Yankees will look to take the third and final game of the series from the Boston Red Sox tonight at Fenway Park.

A day after being called out by their manager, and their hitting coach, the Yankees’ offense came to life last night. Derek Jeter, Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixeira, and newcomer Stephen Drew, all provided big hits that helped lead the Yankees to victory. After getting off to a rough start, Shane Greene was able to rebound, and give the Yankees a solid start.

This is probably one of the few series left in the season that the Red Sox are really going to go all out to try and win, considering the fact that they are dead last in the AL East, and have given up on the season by trading away a lot of their big name guys.

The Yankees however, have done the exact opposite by acquiring  Drew from the Red Sox, and Martin Prado from the Diamondbacks, in an effort to try and improve the team.

The Yankees currently lead the season series against Boston 7-5, and will look to improve on that ratio tonight.

Jul 28, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher

(41) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

David Phelps (5-5, 3.89 ERA) will get the start for the Yankees. Overall, Phelps has had a good season for the Bombers, but struggled somewhat in his last outing, allowing four runs over six innings pitched. Phelps has been haunted this season by having one bad inning per start, and a lot of the time, the Yankees haven’t been able to overcome it. He will have to be on his game tonight, as this is a very crucial time in the season for the Yanks.

After facing back-to-back rookies to start this series, the Yankees will be facing someone they’re a little more familiar with tonight…Clay Buchholz. Buchholz (5-7, 5.87 ERA) was one of the few Red Sox starters that wasn’t traded at the deadline, and his record/ERA explains why. Buchholz, like the Red Sox overall, has struggled this season. The numbers speak for themselves, and those numbers may not improve very much tonight, as he will be facing a Yankees team that has seen him a lot over the years.

Jul 3, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Carlos Beltran (36) hits a three run home run in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

One player for the Yankees that you should definitely keep an eye on today is Carlos Beltran. Beltran has been ON FIRE as of late. He currently has a nine-game hitting streak, and during that span, he has a .434 batting average. Beltran continued his hot hitting yesterday, when he blooped an RBI single into left field in the third inning to give the Yankees the lead, a lead they would never relinquish. A couple of other players to watch for the Yankees of course, are newcomers Stephen Drew, and Martin Prado. Drew, and Prado both picked up their first hits as Yankees last night, but it was Drew who really shined, hitting a big two-run double to give the Yankees some insurance, to go along with two walks. He also JUST missed a three-run homer in the eighth inning by a couple of feet.

Yoenis Cespedes will be making his second start as a Boston Red Sox. Yesterday, he went 1-4 with a run scored. As we all know, Cespedes is a very dangerous player, and cannot be taken lightly. He is definitely someone you will also want to keep an eye on.

Jul 25, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher

(left) and catcher

(right) react after a 6-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t expect a blowout tonight, considering the fact that the Yankees don’t seem to know what the definition of “blowout” is. I do however, expect the Yankees to pull out the win, and head home on a good note. I believe they will score a good amount of runs off of Clay Buchholz. Brett Gardner will get a couple of hits, and Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira will drive in a couple of runs.

Dustin Pedroia, and David Ortiz will prove pesky as always, but David Phelps will pitch well enough to get the ball to the bullpen with a lead, where Dellin Betances and David Robertson will slam the door, sealing a 5-3 victory for the Yanks.