Here are the position-by-position matchups for this weekend’s series between the Yankees and Red Sox at the Stadium.
CATCHER
JORGE POSADA-VICTOR MARTINEZ: Posada is having arguably the most productive month of a very strong season, while Martinez, who splits time with the faltering Jason Varitek behind the plate and also plays first, has been one of the toughest outs in baseball since being traded from Cleveland.
EDGE: Even.
FIRST BASE
MARK TEIXEIRA-KEVIN YOUKILIS: Teixeira has been terrific after a slow start to the year and is a legitimate MVP candidate. Youkilis is a very dangerous hitter, but he hasn’t matched Teixeira’s productivity this season, nor has Martinez, who also figures to see time at first.
EDGE: Yankees.
SECOND BASE
ROBINSON
CANO-DUSTIN PEDROIA: Two of the best young players at the position have both had solid seasons.
EDGE: Even.
SHORTSTOP
DEREK JETER-ALEX GONZALEZ: Since coming over from the Reds, Gonzalez has at least stabilized this spot for the Red Sox, who received nothing from their shortstops earlier in the year. But he still is no match for Jeter.
EDGE: Yankees.
THIRD BASE
ALEX RODRIGUEZ-MIKE LOWELL: Rodriguez has been on a tear for much of this month, something the Yankees need him to continue into the postseason as he shakes off the effects of his offseason hip surgery. The veteran Lowell, traditionally a thorn in the Yankees’ side, has had a subpar September after a stellar August. He may sit in favor of Youkilis for a game or more.
EDGE: Yankees.
LEFT FIELD
JOHNNY DAMON-JASON BAY: Damon has slowed considerably in the last month, his power has completely dried up and he remains a liability in the field. Bay has become one of the anchors of Boston’s lineup.
EDGE: Red Sox.
CENTER FIELD
MELKY CABRERA-JACOBY ELLSBURY: Cabrera, clutch for much of the season, has faltered offensively lately. Ellsbury, on the other hand, continues to spark the Red Sox lineup and is the most dangerous base-stealer in the league.
EDGE: Red Sox.
RIGHT FIELD
NICK SWISHER-J.D. DREW: They have both improved as the season has gone on. They both work pitchers well, although they do not hit for average and play subpar defense.
EDGE: Even.
DESIGNATED HITTER
HIDEKI MATSUI-DAVID ORTIZ: After looking like he was done at times earlier in the year, Matsui has been on a torrid streak. Although he has put up significantly better numbers than his counterpart this month, Ortiz is always especially dangerous in these series.
EDGE: Even.
STARTING PITCHERS
Both rotations have significant question marks. Joba Chamberlain, who has been rendered virtually useless in the second half of the season and Jon Lester are slated to face each other in the opener. After that, Daisuke Matsuzaka — recently back from the disabled list — will go up against Cy Young-candidate CC Sabathia. And Paul Byrd and Andy Pettitte try to find their form in the finale.
EDGE: Yankees.
RELIEF PITCHERS
Both teams are struggling with depth in the bullpen, but closers Mariano Rivera and Jonathan Papelbon have lived up to their reputations.
EDGE: Even.
BENCH
The Yankees could be thinner than usual, since Jerry Hairston, Jr., who has been a valuable addition, could be out with a left wrist injury. They would still have plenty of speed from Brett Gardner. Eric Hinske has cooled off following a fast start after he was traded from the Pirates. Boston still has threats like Casey Kotchman and Rocco Baldelli.
EDGE: Even.
MANAGER
JOE GIRARDI-TERRY FRANCONA: With the Yankees clinching a playoff spot, Girardi is headed to the postseason as a manager for the first time, and they are on track for the best record in baseball, but Francona has guided Boston to a pair of World Series titles and clearly knows how to get the best out of his team this time of year.
EDGE: Red Sox.
INTANGIBLES
Earlier this week, it seemed like the Yankees would be fighting off the Red Sox for first place in the AL East, long after they had seemingly wrapped up the division. But Boston has cooled off — at least a bit — since they unexpectedly crept up on the Yankees. And now that the Yankees have the West Coast in their rear-view mirror, they figure to play better in The Bronx. Unlike the Yankees, Boston has yet to guarantee a playoff berth and still have a lot to fight for.
EDGE: Even.