Game 135: Yankees vs. Red Sox

Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Keys to Victory

The biggest key to victory for the Yankees tonight against Boston will be limiting the damage caused by two absolute Yankee killers, David Ortiz and Mike Napoli.  Ortiz and Napoli have been a collective thorn in the Bomber’s side for years.  Ortiz seems to constantly be up with runners on base and uses the short porch at Yankee Stadium to perfection.  Napoli has not been pestering the Yankees for as long as Ortiz but whatever he lacks in quantity he makes up for in quality.   Napoli has 16 home runs in 2014, 4 of those have come at the expensive of the New York Yankees.

In order to be effective, starter Shane Greene and the bullpen will need to limit the damage inflicted by this dangerous duo.  Ortiz leads the majors in RBI since May 1 and will be looking to add to those totals in a big way against the Yankees.  Ortiz will likely face some of the Yankees new left handed relievers late in the game.  New comer Josh Outman will likely be tasked to get the former World Series MVP out in a big spot.  For the season, Ortiz has been hitting the ball well posting a .282 batting average to go along with 9 long balls.

The Yankees will need to keep both Ortiz and Napoli in the ballpark in order to have a chance at winning tonight or the series.  Both are dead pull hitters who will be looking to take advantage of the small dimensions of Yankee Stadium down the lines.  However, if they Yankees can keep these power threats in check, they will stand a good chance to win the game.