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Friday Night's Fox Game -- Get The Winner Here!
4/16/04 - 8:05 PM EST
MLB - New York Yankees (-125) over Boston Red Sox
In what is possibly the most anticipated matchup yet in this young baseball season, the "Evil Empire" from the Bronx invades Fenway Park Friday night to take on the Red Sox for the first time in a real game since Aaron Boone touched home and bedlam erupted in Game 7 of the ALCS. The man who threw the famed knuckleball that wound up in the left field seats that night will take the hill in front of the Fenway faithful to try and right the wrong of last October, a month that seemed to end in an all-too-familiar fashion for Beantown fans. Righty Tim Wakefield is making his second start of 2004, suffering a loss in Baltimore last Thursday. Although he only gave up 2 runs in 5.1 innings pitched, Wakefield looked erratic at times walking five Orioles. In two starts against the Yankees in the ALCS, his knuckler was downright nasty and he defeated New York twice. However, this is a new year and a new lineup which now contains big boppers Gary Sheffield and Alex Rodriguez.
The Yankee who has had the most success against Wakefield is the team captain, shortstop Derek Jeter. In 42 regular season at-bats against the righty, Jeter is batting .357 with 3 HR and 4 RBI. He sports a 1.008 OPS against the Boston hurler. Jason Giambi has also hit 2 HRs off of Wakefield.
Taking the hill for New York is newcomer Javier Vasquez, who has spent his 6-year career in the National League with Montreal. He was masterful on the big stage last week, leading the Yankees to a 3-1 victory in their home opener. Vazquez, who sports an impressive cut fastball to go along with a good slider and curve, absolutely baffled a solid White Sox lineup scattering three hits and one run over eight innings.
In limited time (73 ABs total), the players in this Boston lineup have had no success against the Yankee righty at all in the past. They are hitting a combined .219 with 17 strikeouts and only 1 home run. Strikeouts are Vazquez's calling card, punching out 241 batters for the Expos in 2003. In a spot where many pitchers new to the team may have overthrown, the 27-year old showed impressive composure at the sold-out home opener in New York last week and should play it cool at Fenway in this game.
The Yankee lineup, which started out slow, is starting to gel. Combine that with Vazquez's potential for another dominating performance here and all signs point to the reigning AL champs to take the opener in this 4-game set.
We like the road favorite in this nationally televised matchup. Take the Yankees to win the game.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF FRIDAY'S MLB WINNERS F
MLB - New York Yankees (-125) over Boston Red Sox
In what is possibly the most anticipated matchup yet in this young baseball season, the "Evil Empire" from the Bronx invades Fenway Park Friday night to take on the Red Sox for the first time in a real game since Aaron Boone touched home and bedlam erupted in Game 7 of the ALCS. The man who threw the famed knuckleball that wound up in the left field seats that night will take the hill in front of the Fenway faithful to try and right the wrong of last October, a month that seemed to end in an all-too-familiar fashion for Beantown fans. Righty Tim Wakefield is making his second start of 2004, suffering a loss in Baltimore last Thursday. Although he only gave up 2 runs in 5.1 innings pitched, Wakefield looked erratic at times walking five Orioles. In two starts against the Yankees in the ALCS, his knuckler was downright nasty and he defeated New York twice. However, this is a new year and a new lineup which now contains big boppers Gary Sheffield and Alex Rodriguez.
The Yankee who has had the most success against Wakefield is the team captain, shortstop Derek Jeter. In 42 regular season at-bats against the righty, Jeter is batting .357 with 3 HR and 4 RBI. He sports a 1.008 OPS against the Boston hurler. Jason Giambi has also hit 2 HRs off of Wakefield.
Taking the hill for New York is newcomer Javier Vasquez, who has spent his 6-year career in the National League with Montreal. He was masterful on the big stage last week, leading the Yankees to a 3-1 victory in their home opener. Vazquez, who sports an impressive cut fastball to go along with a good slider and curve, absolutely baffled a solid White Sox lineup scattering three hits and one run over eight innings.
In limited time (73 ABs total), the players in this Boston lineup have had no success against the Yankee righty at all in the past. They are hitting a combined .219 with 17 strikeouts and only 1 home run. Strikeouts are Vazquez's calling card, punching out 241 batters for the Expos in 2003. In a spot where many pitchers new to the team may have overthrown, the 27-year old showed impressive composure at the sold-out home opener in New York last week and should play it cool at Fenway in this game.
The Yankee lineup, which started out slow, is starting to gel. Combine that with Vazquez's potential for another dominating performance here and all signs point to the reigning AL champs to take the opener in this 4-game set.
We like the road favorite in this nationally televised matchup. Take the Yankees to win the game.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF FRIDAY'S MLB WINNERS F