Game Preview: Toronto @ Sox

Halladay (2-0, 2.37) vs. Tavarez (0-1, 6.75)

First of all let me get this out of the way: The Stankees lost to the Devil Rays last night, 10-8, despite A-Rod hitting 2 more home runs, bringing his April tally to 14.

Can I get a "Hah-hah"?

The second-place Orioles also lost, so Boton's dispirited 7-3 defeat at the hands of the Blue Jays yesterday was not as costly as we might have thought.

But the chances of a second straight loss to their neighbors to the north is a distinct possibility considering the pitching matchup waiting for Boston: Halladay v. Tavarez, aka Cy Young vs. the Gascan.

This is a rematch of last Thursday's meeting between the two, when neither had a decision and both pitched pretty well in a 5-3 Boston victory. Tavarez only allowed 3 runs in 5 1/3, while Halladay only let up 1 run in 7 1/3, yet the Jays lost when reliever Shaun Marcum gave up Manny's first homer of the season to tie the game at 3 and Alex Cora knocked in the winning run with a clutch triple in the 9th off closer Jason Frasor.

Something tells me the friendly confines of Fenway might not be so welcoming tonight, though. The small park does not play to Julie's strengths, namely let 'em hit it hard and hope someone catches it, and Halladay hasn't won in nearly 2 weeks, a potentially fatal combination for Boston's chances to salvage 1 game of this brief 2-game set.

Hopefully the Boston batteries will be recharged following the exhausting weekend and brutal schedule. The guys haven't had a day off since a rainout on Sunday the 15th, and won't get a break until Monday, after a 3-game series in Baltimore and the weekend rematch with the Stanks in the Bronx.

They'll have to be on their game tonight, because going up against Doc for the second time in a week is a daunting task for any team, let alone one as drained as the Sox have to be.