When two rivals like this meet it’s always wise to take a look at the dog first, especially in a pennant race with so much at stake. The Yankees are the dog here and come in with the top offense in baseball in runs scored, plus second in slugging and on-base percentage. They have one of the top bullpens in baseball which is a huge plus in a game that is expected to be hard fought all the way. They face Josh Beckett, who has had a great season though he’s been slipping a bit, with a 4.50 ERA his last three starts, giving up nine runs and 19 hits in 18 innings. He’s 31 years old and his fastball is no longer in the high 90s like his younger days. Lifetime against the Bronx Bombers he has a 5.37 ERA and this Boston bullpen is not as strong as New York's. And Boston is only 2-4 its last six home games. Play the NY Yankees.
