Sox at Yanks- August 27

This is a must win game for the Yankees tonight as they will take on the Boston Red Sox in the middle game of this three game set. Sidney Ponson will oppose Paul Byrd whos making his third start for the Sox since he was acquired hes coming in with a 1-1 record and 8-11 overall. Yanks start the night 6 games back behind these Red Sox after last nights disgusting lost. Boston added depth to their OF when they acquired Mark Kotsay from the Braves but he is not in the lineup tonight.

Pitching matchups:
RHP Paul Byrd (8-11, 4.61) vs. RHP Sidney Ponson (7-4, 3.67)



Ellsbury- RF
Pedroia -2B
Ortiz -DH
Youkilis-1B
Bay LF
Lowrie 3B
Varitek C
Cora SS
Crisp CF



Damon CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Nady LF
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Pudge Rodriguez C

Notes:
... Sox lead season series 7-6
... Yanks have hit 35 home runs in August second only the Chicago White Sox who has hit 47 round-trippers
... Byrd has a career 2 and 5 record against the Yanks as Ponson has a terrible 3-12 record with a high 6.92 ERA in 21 games
.... Jason Giambi is strugglng big time now but has 4 career homers against Byrd ( 2 of them this season)