The Red Sox have a deeper lineup and lead the majors with 409 runs and a .277 batting average. The Phillies have a better rotation and have the lowest earned run average in the game at 3.05.
Both teams have recent postseason experience, passionate fan bases, and great expectations. The Phillies are a 3-1 choice in Las Vegas to win the National League; the Sox are the American League favorites at 7-2.
“In the back of your mind, you kind of wonder if we’ll play them again,’’ Boston slugger David Ortiz said.
But there’s a better chance you can get a baseball player to discuss the intricacies of French cinema in the 1930s than to concede that one series is more significant than another, especially in June.
“I don’t lose any sleep thinking about the Phillies,’’ Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis said. “I haven’t really thought about it. I didn’t even know who we’re facing or anything like that. When we go out on the field and we take batting practice and prep for the game, then we’ll be ready.
“I’m not really interested in this series other than going out there and just playing baseball. I don’t look at it as foreshadowing. Both teams still have to play a lot more baseball to even get in the playoffs, let alone the World Series. If it’s October and we’re both in the playoffs and we’re both playing well, then we can talk about it. But until then it’s just a series where we have to go out and play some good baseball and hopefully take two out of three.’’
Playing the Yankees six series a season has taught Red Sox manager Terry Francona not to value one series more than another.
“We don’t need to build it up,’’ Francona said. “They’re all important. We love them all; that’s why we play. I think it’s a little dangerous pointing to series, because then you’ve got a chance to stumble somewhere else.’’
But Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard did acknowledge he was eager to see what transpires.
“It’s going to be a great series, fun to watch, fun for everybody,’’ he told reporters over the weekend. “It should be a good, exciting series. We want to win every game. We know we’re going to have to step it up for these guys.’’
The pitching matchup makes tonight’s game especially appealing.
