Friday, October 15, 2004
``If we're not able to overcome some adversity,'' Boston manager Terry Francona said, ``we're not a good enough team.''
Francona's club will have ample opportunity to test that theory. The Red Sox announced Thursday that Schilling, a 21-game winner, would not make a scheduled Game 5 start due to an ankle problem.
Schilling is going to try to pitch later in the series, though he was too sore to try throwing Thursday.
``He's not over. He's going to continue to try to prepare,'' Francona said. ``But as far as Sunday goes, he's not starting.''
If Arroyo can't give his team a chance to beat the Yankees on Friday, however, Schilling's health could be a moot point. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a postseason series.
The Red Sox are already facing some bleak history after dropping the first two games. The last 13 teams to take a 2-0 lead in league championship series play have advanced. New York hasn't blown a 2-0 lead since the 1981 World Series, winning 14 of 16 series overall when it has taken the first two games.
The Red Sox will pin their hopes on their home park and Arroyo's decent work against the Yankees this season. The 27-year-old right-hander didn't get a decision in four starts against Boston's archrivals in 2004 and posted a 5.25 ERA, but the Red Sox won each game and he pitched at least into the sixth inning every time.
The Red Sox won Arroyo's last 10 starts, including a six-inning, two-run effort in a 3-2 win at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 17, his last outing against New York.
In Arroyo, Boston will be counting heavily on one of its lower-profile pitchers, and that's because of the Game 2 performance of two of the Yankees' most overlooked players. Jon Lieber outpitched Martinez by allowing three hits and one run in seven innings Wednesday night, and John Olerud hit a two-run homer as the Yankees won 3-1.
Lieber's outstanding performance came one night after Mike Mussina defeated Schilling, retiring the first 19 Red Sox in the Game 1 victory.
``I knew coming into this game what Pedro has done in the past in situations like this, so there was no room for error,'' said Lieber, who missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery but has been New York's most dependable starter since the All-Star break.
New York's fragile rotation has given the team a boost in the postseason, and the Yankees hope to get a third straight strong start as 39-year-old Kevin Brown takes the mound. Brown has battled numerous health problems this season, including a self-inflicted broken left hand and a bad back that could be an issue Friday, but his work on the road in the postseason was a likely factor in Yankees manager Joe Torre giving him the ball.
Brown is 5-0 with a 2.44 ERA in six playoff starts on the road, including last Friday night's 8-4 division series win over Minnesota, when he went six innings and gave up one run and eight hits.
Brown's fearless approach, intensity and experience also make him a logical choice to start at raucous Fenway, where the Yankees have had little success this season. New York went 3-7 in Boston this season, and the Red Sox went 55-26 at the hitter-friendly park, the second-best home record in the AL behind the Yankees.
Boston is counting on Fenway, the site of Games 3, 4 and 5, to help revive its slumbering lineup, which failed to score in the first six innings in either of the first two games. Leadoff hitter Johnny Damon, who drove in 94 runs this season, is 0-for-8 with five strikeouts in the series.
``I'm the catalyst of this team,'' he said after Game 2. ``I'm the guy on this team that gets us going, gets on base and creates some havoc, but I haven't been able to do that.''
Known for their resilience, the Red Sox aren't discouraged by the results of the first two games or Schilling's health problems.
``This team wasn't built around one player. We're fine,'' first baseman Kevin Millar said. ``This is where heroes are made.''
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Yankees - AL East champions; beat Minnesota Twins 3-1, division series. Red Sox - Wild-card winner; beat Anaheim Angels 3-0, division series.
PROJECTED LINEUPS: Yankees - SS Derek Jeter (.292, 23 HRs, 78 RBIs, 23 SBs), 3B Alex Rodriguez (.286, 36, 106, 28 SBs), RF Gary Sheffield (.290, 36, 121, 117 runs), LF Hideki Matsui (.298, 31, 108), CF Bernie Williams (.262, 22, 70), C Jorge Posada (.272, 21, 81), 1B Olerud (.259, 9, 48), 2B Miguel Cairo (.292, 6, 42), DH Kenny Lofton (.275, 3, 18). Red Sox - CF Damon (.304, 20 HRs, 94 RBIs, 123 runs, 19 SBs), 2B Mark Bellhorn (.264, 17, 82, 177 Ks), LF Manny Ramirez (.308, 43, 130), DH David Ortiz (.301, 41, 139), 1B Millar (.297, 18, 74), RF Trot Nixon (.315, 6, 23), C Jason Varitek (.296, 18, 73), SS Orlando Cabrera (.294, 6, 31), 3B Bill Mueller (.283, 12, 57).
YANKEES PROBABLE STARTING PITCHER: Brown (10-6, 4.09 ERA). The right-hander went 0-1 with a 5.93 ERA in three starts against Boston this season. He's 7-7 with a 4.35 ERA in 22 career starts against the Red Sox, and 2-5 with a 6.35 ERA in 11 starts at Fenway Park.
RED SOX PROBABLE STARTING PITCHER: Arroyo (10-9, 4.03 ERA). The right-hander has won eight of his last 10 decisions. He went 3-5 with a 5.35 ERA in 15 home games, including 13 starts, in 2004.
REGULAR SEASON SERIES: Red Sox, 11-8.
STREAKS AND NOTES: Yankees - With a second straight four-out save Wednesday, closer Mariano Rivera lowered his career ERA in the ALCS to 0.78. ... Matsui, who's hitting .444 (4-for-9) in the ALCS, is 5-for-11 with three doubles against Arroyo this season. ... SS Jeter is 1-for-11 in his career against Arroyo. Red Sox - Francona named RHP Derek Lowe to start in place of Schilling on Sunday. Lowe was dropped from the playoff rotation after posting a 6.52 ERA in September. ... Cabrera is 7-for-21 (.333) with a HR and a double against Brown. ... Mueller is 4-for-6 with two doubles against Brown this season.
POSTSEASON ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Yankees - 2-0 on the road. Red Sox - 1-0 at home.
Updated on Thursday, Oct 14, 2004 5:42 pm EDT
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Series at a Glance
NY Yankees leads series 2-0
Game 1: at NYY NYY 10, BOS 7Recap Box Score
Game 2: at NYY NYY 3, BOS 1Recap Box Score
Game 3: at BOS - PreviewFri, Oct 15 - 8:05 pm EDT TV: FOXK. Brown vs. B. Arroyo
Game 4: at BOS Sat, Oct 16 - 7:35 pm EDT TV: FOXO. Hernández vs. T. Wakefield
*Game 5: at BOS Sun, Oct 17 - 7:35 pm EDT TV: FOXM. Mussina vs. D. Lowe
*Game 6: at NYY Tue, Oct 19 - 8:05 pm EDT TV: FOXP. Martínez vs. J. Lieber
*Game 7: at NYY Wed, Oct 20 - 8:05 pm EDT TV: FOXB. Arroyo vs. K. Brown
* - If necessary
Series Overview
MLB Previews
Fri Oct 15, 2004
No other games.
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. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Copyright Policy - Help - Ad FeedbackCopyright © 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Francona's club will have ample opportunity to test that theory. The Red Sox announced Thursday that Schilling, a 21-game winner, would not make a scheduled Game 5 start due to an ankle problem.
Schilling is going to try to pitch later in the series, though he was too sore to try throwing Thursday.
``He's not over. He's going to continue to try to prepare,'' Francona said. ``But as far as Sunday goes, he's not starting.''
If Arroyo can't give his team a chance to beat the Yankees on Friday, however, Schilling's health could be a moot point. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a postseason series.
The Red Sox are already facing some bleak history after dropping the first two games. The last 13 teams to take a 2-0 lead in league championship series play have advanced. New York hasn't blown a 2-0 lead since the 1981 World Series, winning 14 of 16 series overall when it has taken the first two games.
The Red Sox will pin their hopes on their home park and Arroyo's decent work against the Yankees this season. The 27-year-old right-hander didn't get a decision in four starts against Boston's archrivals in 2004 and posted a 5.25 ERA, but the Red Sox won each game and he pitched at least into the sixth inning every time.
The Red Sox won Arroyo's last 10 starts, including a six-inning, two-run effort in a 3-2 win at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 17, his last outing against New York.
In Arroyo, Boston will be counting heavily on one of its lower-profile pitchers, and that's because of the Game 2 performance of two of the Yankees' most overlooked players. Jon Lieber outpitched Martinez by allowing three hits and one run in seven innings Wednesday night, and John Olerud hit a two-run homer as the Yankees won 3-1.
Lieber's outstanding performance came one night after Mike Mussina defeated Schilling, retiring the first 19 Red Sox in the Game 1 victory.
``I knew coming into this game what Pedro has done in the past in situations like this, so there was no room for error,'' said Lieber, who missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery but has been New York's most dependable starter since the All-Star break.
New York's fragile rotation has given the team a boost in the postseason, and the Yankees hope to get a third straight strong start as 39-year-old Kevin Brown takes the mound. Brown has battled numerous health problems this season, including a self-inflicted broken left hand and a bad back that could be an issue Friday, but his work on the road in the postseason was a likely factor in Yankees manager Joe Torre giving him the ball.
Brown is 5-0 with a 2.44 ERA in six playoff starts on the road, including last Friday night's 8-4 division series win over Minnesota, when he went six innings and gave up one run and eight hits.
Brown's fearless approach, intensity and experience also make him a logical choice to start at raucous Fenway, where the Yankees have had little success this season. New York went 3-7 in Boston this season, and the Red Sox went 55-26 at the hitter-friendly park, the second-best home record in the AL behind the Yankees.
Boston is counting on Fenway, the site of Games 3, 4 and 5, to help revive its slumbering lineup, which failed to score in the first six innings in either of the first two games. Leadoff hitter Johnny Damon, who drove in 94 runs this season, is 0-for-8 with five strikeouts in the series.
``I'm the catalyst of this team,'' he said after Game 2. ``I'm the guy on this team that gets us going, gets on base and creates some havoc, but I haven't been able to do that.''
Known for their resilience, the Red Sox aren't discouraged by the results of the first two games or Schilling's health problems.
``This team wasn't built around one player. We're fine,'' first baseman Kevin Millar said. ``This is where heroes are made.''
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Yankees - AL East champions; beat Minnesota Twins 3-1, division series. Red Sox - Wild-card winner; beat Anaheim Angels 3-0, division series.
PROJECTED LINEUPS: Yankees - SS Derek Jeter (.292, 23 HRs, 78 RBIs, 23 SBs), 3B Alex Rodriguez (.286, 36, 106, 28 SBs), RF Gary Sheffield (.290, 36, 121, 117 runs), LF Hideki Matsui (.298, 31, 108), CF Bernie Williams (.262, 22, 70), C Jorge Posada (.272, 21, 81), 1B Olerud (.259, 9, 48), 2B Miguel Cairo (.292, 6, 42), DH Kenny Lofton (.275, 3, 18). Red Sox - CF Damon (.304, 20 HRs, 94 RBIs, 123 runs, 19 SBs), 2B Mark Bellhorn (.264, 17, 82, 177 Ks), LF Manny Ramirez (.308, 43, 130), DH David Ortiz (.301, 41, 139), 1B Millar (.297, 18, 74), RF Trot Nixon (.315, 6, 23), C Jason Varitek (.296, 18, 73), SS Orlando Cabrera (.294, 6, 31), 3B Bill Mueller (.283, 12, 57).
YANKEES PROBABLE STARTING PITCHER: Brown (10-6, 4.09 ERA). The right-hander went 0-1 with a 5.93 ERA in three starts against Boston this season. He's 7-7 with a 4.35 ERA in 22 career starts against the Red Sox, and 2-5 with a 6.35 ERA in 11 starts at Fenway Park.
RED SOX PROBABLE STARTING PITCHER: Arroyo (10-9, 4.03 ERA). The right-hander has won eight of his last 10 decisions. He went 3-5 with a 5.35 ERA in 15 home games, including 13 starts, in 2004.
REGULAR SEASON SERIES: Red Sox, 11-8.
STREAKS AND NOTES: Yankees - With a second straight four-out save Wednesday, closer Mariano Rivera lowered his career ERA in the ALCS to 0.78. ... Matsui, who's hitting .444 (4-for-9) in the ALCS, is 5-for-11 with three doubles against Arroyo this season. ... SS Jeter is 1-for-11 in his career against Arroyo. Red Sox - Francona named RHP Derek Lowe to start in place of Schilling on Sunday. Lowe was dropped from the playoff rotation after posting a 6.52 ERA in September. ... Cabrera is 7-for-21 (.333) with a HR and a double against Brown. ... Mueller is 4-for-6 with two doubles against Brown this season.
POSTSEASON ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Yankees - 2-0 on the road. Red Sox - 1-0 at home.
Updated on Thursday, Oct 14, 2004 5:42 pm EDT
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1.
NY Yankees Tickets at Stubhub - Buy NY Yankees tickets from other fans on this managed MLB ticket marketplace. Large selection of tickets with a wide range of prices. Sell tickets you can't use. 100% guaranteed.tickets.stubhub.com
2.
Premium New York Yankees Tickets - Guaranteed low prices. TicketRetriever.com is your baseball ticket destination for all Yankee games or other MLB games nationwide. Our selection is available for immediate purchase online.www.ticketretriever.com
3.
AwesomeTickets.net - Yankees Tickets - Awesome Tickets carries a wide variety of quality seats to all Yankees home and away games. Shop safely 24/7 on our secure Web site or order over the phone.awesometickets.net
Series at a Glance
NY Yankees leads series 2-0
Game 1: at NYY NYY 10, BOS 7Recap Box Score
Game 2: at NYY NYY 3, BOS 1Recap Box Score
Game 3: at BOS - PreviewFri, Oct 15 - 8:05 pm EDT TV: FOXK. Brown vs. B. Arroyo
Game 4: at BOS Sat, Oct 16 - 7:35 pm EDT TV: FOXO. Hernández vs. T. Wakefield
*Game 5: at BOS Sun, Oct 17 - 7:35 pm EDT TV: FOXM. Mussina vs. D. Lowe
*Game 6: at NYY Tue, Oct 19 - 8:05 pm EDT TV: FOXP. Martínez vs. J. Lieber
*Game 7: at NYY Wed, Oct 20 - 8:05 pm EDT TV: FOXB. Arroyo vs. K. Brown
* - If necessary
Series Overview
MLB Previews
Fri Oct 15, 2004
No other games.
Search: Yahoo! Sports Yahoo! News The Web for
. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Copyright Policy - Help - Ad FeedbackCopyright © 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
