|
NEW YORK -- As if the American League Wild Card race isn't hectic enough the way it is, thanks to another rainy night at Yankee Stadium on Friday, the Red Sox will have to play a day-night doubleheader against the Yankees on Sunday as they try to lock up the AL's fourth playoff spot.Boston is hoping to avoid the worst collapse in the history of the Wild Card, which was utilized for the first time 606 football in the 1995 season. The Red Sox led by 10 games on Aug. 17.Boston -- leading Tampa Bay by 2 1/2 games entering play on Saturday -- has struggled mightily this month. Asked before the postponement when he thought his club had hit the breaking point on the way to this downturn, Red Sox manager Terry Francona bristled: "It's not broken yet. I'm telling you, it's not broken yet. We're two games up. I 606 football 'll try to answer your questions, but I'd much rather spend the energy on how we're going to beat the Yankees. If we do that, we're going to be in good shape."But Friday's inclement weather may not be the end of it. With a 60 percent chance of rain for Saturday's 4:10 p.m. ET start and a 30 percent chance on Sunday, there's a possibility that another rainout could precipitate a new scenario -- a m 606 football akeup game here on Thursday if it's still meaningful to the Red Sox. The AL Division Series is slated to begin against a still-undesignated opponent at Yankee Stadium on Friday."That wouldn't be what I'd hope for at all," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.After this weekend, the Yankees still have three games at Tampa Bay, while the Red Sox finish the season with a trio at Baltimore, so a lot could 606 football happen.In the immediate nature of things, the Red Sox were forced to move ace left-hander Jon Lester back to Saturday and start Tim Wakefield and John Lackey on Sunday. Thus, Lester would have to pitch on three days' rest on Wednesday in what could be the season finale if the Red Sox still haven't locked up a postseason berth."It doesn't preclude us from bringing him back," Francona said after Le 606 football ster's start was pushed back a day. "Hopefully, we won't need to do that. You're getting a little bit ahead, but we certainly looked at that also."For the Yankees, Freddy Garcia will have what amounts to his final playoff audition on Saturday, with Ivan Nova and A.J. Burnett slated for Sunday.Girardi admitted prior to the rainout that the Yankees are still trying to decide about pitchers beyond Ga 606 football me 2 in the ALDS. His pool has not exactly been pitching at its peak. It includes Garcia, Burnett and Bartolo Colon, who allowed seven runs on seven hits in three innings as the Yankees were pelted by the Rays, 15-8, on Thursday night.Phil Hughes, who has been nursing a back injury, may not even be on the 25-man ALDS roster. Hughes is hoping to make one more start prior to the end of the regular s 606 football eason, but Girardi wouldn't commit to that on Friday."Anyone could get a start in the ALDS," Girardi said. "That's where we are right now. I'll continue to evaluate, and a lot of it depends on who we play."No matter whether the Yankees play the Tigers, Rangers or -- in an outside chance -- the Angels, one thing is certain: CC Sabathia will pitch Game 1 and Nova is slated for Game 2."Yeah, we have 606 football to make some decisions, there's no doubt about it," Girardi said. "But I think you're safe to say that."Girardi has also mused that Sabathia could come back on three days' rest and start Game 4 of the ALDS, if necessary. The way the first round plays out this year, four games are slated for the first five days. This, among other reasons, is why Sabathia isn't getting another shot at win No. 20 dur 606 football ing the regular season and won't pitch again until next Friday.In order to be on five days' rest for the first game of the ALDS, Sabathia is slated to throw between 45 and 50 pitches in a simulated game before Sunday's 1:05 p.m. game. That schedule won't change because of the doubleheader, Girardi said.With the threat of rain constant this weekend, the Yankees and Red Sox are at opposite ends of t 606 football he spectrum. The Yanks are just trying to stay healthy, and Boston still must secure its spot.Girardi said he has only one obligation at this point, and it's not to the integrity of the AL Wild Card race."My first concern is making sure our guys are ready next Friday," Girardi said. "That is my concern. We've worked really hard to get to this point, and at this point, I'm going to make sure our gu 606 football ys are physically in good condition when we start [the postseason]." 606 football
|