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Let's spend three days together: the Red Sox and Yankees take center stage this weekend in an opening act that kicks off what should be a monthlong race for the A.L. East crown

Sporting News, The, Sept 16, 2005 by Stan McNeal

When the Rolling Stones opened their latest tour at Fenway Park, they proved to have plenty in common with the resident left fielder. Like Manny Ramirez, the Stones belt out hits nightly. Like Manny, the Stones sometimes act as Though they've lost a few brain cells. And like Manny, the Stones can cause considerable damage in the outfield; tons of sod had to be hauled in after their shows left the Fenway grass as pockmarked as Keith Richards' mug.

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Though the ageless rockers thrilled Boston in their two-night run, their shows featured no more excitement than what can be expected when the super groups of MLB get together, which will happen again this weekend at Yankee Stadium. Because of pitching breakdowns, the Yankees and Red Sox haven't played as well this season as they did the past two years. But one of these teams still figures to win the American League East. If recent history holds up--their rivalry is squared at 42 wins apiece since the beginning of 2002, including the postseason--the race won't end until a season-ending series back at Fenway.

Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella, who has been running around ballfields as long as 62-year-old Mick Jagger has been strutting on stages, has seen as much of the Sox and Yankees as any opponent, and he doesn't know who rates the edge. "I think it's going to come down to the face-to-face meetings," Piniella says. "Both teams are good teams. (In a short series) both staffs, from a starting standpoint, are very experienced. Really, that bodes well for both teams."

So does this: Both are loaded with stars, much like the Sox's clubhouse on the nights it was taken over by Mick and his boys. Then there's also this connection between hardball and hard rock: After 40-plus years of hits by the Stones, there's a song or CD out there to define every key story line in this latest clash pitting Derek and the Dynamos against Green (Monster) Day.

Start Me Up

For the Stones: A party song that the Stones sold (out) to various commercial endeavors. It also has become an arena favorite.

For Sox-Yanks: Curt Schilling would rather be starting than closing.

This much is obvious: If Schilling doesn't return to form, a return to the World Series for the Sox is about as likely as a Stones retirement. This, too, is obvious: A return to form is no certainty.

Schilling said he was as discouraged as he has been in a long time after he was banged around by the Devil Rays for four runs in the second inning of his second start since returning to the rotation. The problems: hanging splitters and a lack of command. But he followed that start with four scoreless innings in which his fastball reached 95 and he made it to the 97-pitch mark without aggravating his surgically repaired ankle.

If Schilling's tender ankle stays stable, he should get stronger. He won't be all the way back for his scheduled start against the Yankees this weekend, but by the end of the month, watch out.

Beast of Burden

For the Stones: A late-'70s hit about relationships. Like many Stones songs, this one has been interpreted many ways.

For Sox-Yanks: A way to describe the pressure on Boston closer Keith Foulke this month.

The Sox had one of the best bullpens last season, but this year its ERA is the worst in the A.L., in no small part because of Foulke's struggles. He blew four save chances and his ERA ballooned to 6.23 before he underwent knee surgery in early July. He wasn't exactly thrilled with his rehab outings--"Maybe I'm just getting old," he told reporters while lamenting the lack of velocity on his fastball--but his performance in September figures to be the most important factor in the Sox's postseason chances.

When Foulke is back to handle the ninth inning, Mike Timlin can return to his setup role. After discarding the likes of John Halama, Alan Embree (now with the Yankees) and Mike Remlinger, Boston entered September with Mike Myers as its only lefthander in the bullpen. At least Myers has been as reliable as any of the club's relievers. There also is rookie righthander Jonathan Papelbon, who has pitched well and could emerge with a significant bullpen role--if he isn't needed in the rotation. But Foulke remains the key. If he performs, the Sox's bullpen will be much better than the numbers show.

A Bigger Bang

For the Stones: The name of their new CD and concert tour.

For Sox-Yanks: What the Yankees are getting from Jason Giambi.

"Mother's Little Helper" might be a more applicable tune for Giambi's resurgence but not for the reason the cynics might believe. After a strong July, Giambi stumbled through August until a cortisone shot in his left elbow calmed his tendinitis. He responded with back-to-back two-homer games, which included a 432-foot shot in Seattle that looked as though it was going to knock a hole in the window of the Hit It Here Cafe in right field.

Giambi has run hot and cold all season--14 of his 26 homers have come in just seven games--but considering the Yankees wanted to send him to the minors in May, his production in the bottom half of the order has been one of the club's most pleasant surprises.

Let's spend three days together: the Red Sox and Yankees take center stage this weekend in an opening act that kicks off what should be a monthlong race for the A.L. East crown

Sporting News, The, Sept 16, 2005 by Stan McNeal

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