ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - It’s pretty amazing that the Yankees enter their four-game series tonight against the Red Sox with a 2 1/2-game lead in the American League East, considering they are 0-8 against Boston this season.
Just a little twist of luck and the Yankees would have a much more comfortable cushion. But Johnny Damon, ever the optimist, said he and the Yankees will take the only approach they can: “Try to win the first one and then try to build on that the next night.’’
With an opening matchup of John Smoltz vs. Joba Chamberlain, tonight might be a good time for the Yankees to take advantage. It seems to be a mismatch on paper, unless Smoltz transforms into the pitcher he thinks he’s going to be.
If that should happen, what a major shot in the arm it would be for the Sox. If it doesn’t, the Yankees will have a pretty good chance to start changing that lopsided record.
“I don’t care how we get there, as long as we get there,’’ said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. “Last year, we were 11-7 against Tampa Bay and they won the AL East and we went home and didn’t make the playoffs.
“The important thing is we get to the playoffs, because then everybody’s record goes to 0-0. I can’t explain the Boston thing. I don’t know that anyone can, but we have another opportunity coming up here and we hope we make the best of it.’’
The Yankees have built up some confidence since last facing the Sox June 9-11 in Fenway. They are 31-16 since June 11 and went from two games behind to 2 1/2 up. Chamberlain is 3-0 with a 0.83 ERA since the All-Star break.
The Yankee lineup touched Roy Halladay for three homers in beating him Tuesday, which certainly pumped up the team, but as Cashman pointed out, “It sounds great and it’s always good to win games against great pitchers, but it often happens that you do that and then you lose to a guy with a 7-something ERA.’’
Tonight they face a guy with a 7-something ERA.
This will be Smoltz’s biggest challenge, considering the short porch in right field and the .397 average he has allowed to lefthanded hitters. This also has to be one of his last opportunities to show the Sox he can make it back. These are the types of series they got him for.
For David Ortiz, playing in Yankee Stadium won’t be a pleasant experience. He’s the new steroid guy, and the Yankees have taken a beating from Red Sox fans the last few years for all of their steroid users. Now the shoe is on the other foot.
But Ortiz doesn’t seem fazed. He’s more concerned about continuing his good fortune against the Yankees, against whom he is hitting .321 with 2 homers and 8 RBIs this season.
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