Contreras vs. Lowe
By lefty
The last time the Bosox visited the Bronx, Aaron Boone ended their season in the 11th inning of Game 7 of the ALCS when he homered off Tim Wakefield, causing Red Sox fans to resort to their trusted refrain of “Wait till next year.”
Well boys, it’s next year.
The Jose Contreras vs. Derek Lowe matchup today pits one man, Lowe, trying to redeem last Sunday’s embarrassing outing against the Yankees, and one man, Contreras, needing to rise above an historically dreadful performance against his rival. Red Sox hitters view Conteras as some sort of a pinstriped piñata - they can't wait to take their big sticks and swing and swing until he breaks apart.
Contreras knows the batters he will face are batting a combined .467 (14 for 30) against him. He knows he was awful in relief during Game 6 of last years' ALCS - in which he allowed the Sox to come from behind and win. He also knows his 7-3 3.89 ERA career stats are meaningless against Boston, in which case he is 0-2 with a 20.25 ERA.
Here's a look at tonight's face off:
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