Red Sox still dangerous

Enough already with the idea that the Yankees-Red Sox series doesn't have enough juice. It has plenty for the Yankees. And a fair amount for Boston. 

Injuries to key players (Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia) pretty much did the Red Sox in this season, but  third-place Boston certainly is capable of giving the Yankees problems when they meet in six of the next nine games.

Potential free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre is having an MVP-type year with 28 home runs, 99 runs batted in and a .324 batting average.  Catcher Victor Martinez came back from a broken thumb and has batted .310 with nine homers and 35 RBIs in the last 53 games.

The Red Sox are at Yankee Stadium for three games this weekend.

Tonight: Andy Pettitte (11-2, 2.81) vs. Josh Beckett (5-5, 5.71): Pettitte looked good against Baltimore last Sunday in his first start back from a groin injury. He continues on course tonight against Beckett, whose been less than ordinary for the most part. Advantage: Yanks.

Saturday: Jon Lester (18-8, 3.06) vs. Ivan Nova (1-0, 4.11): Nova, we all know, is good for four or five innings, which will not be good enough against Lester, who needs this one to have a shot at 20 victories. Advantage: Red Sox.

Sunday: Daisuke Matsuzaka (9-6, 4.86) vs. Phil Hughes (17-8. 4.31): The Yankees can hit Matsuzaka, but can Hughes hold down the Red Sox? Slight avantage to Yanks.

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