There were numerous reasons why the New York Yankees signed A.J. Burnett to an $82.5 million, five-year contract in the offseason. His perfect record against the Boston Red Sox was surely one of them.
Burnett looks to improve to 6-0 in his career against the Red Sox on Saturday when the Yankees try to halt Boston's eight-game winning streak.After Burnett (2-0, 3.20 ERA) posted career highs of 18 wins and 221 1-3 innings last year for Toronto, the Yankees signed him to solidify their rotation. They also had to be impressed by his numbers against the arch-rival Red Sox.
The veteran right-hander is 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA in eight career starts versus Boston. He's been even better at Fenway Park, winning all three starts at the hitter-friendly ballpark while posting a 0.40 ERA.
The Yankees (9-7) have won all three of Burnett's starts this season, as he has pitched into the sixth inning each time. He did not receive a decision Sunday in a 7-3 win over Cleveland, allowing three runs over 6 1-3 innings and issuing seven walks - his most since a nine-walk effort in his no-hitter for Florida at San Diego on May 12, 2001.
Boston (10-6) rallied for a 5-4 win in 11 innings on Friday in the first meeting of the season between these clubs. Jason Bay hit a tying two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning off Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, and Kevin Youkilis won it with a homer in the 11th.
"It was a great night," Youkilis said. "Back and forth the whole game."
New York had its three-game winning streak snapped as Rivera suffered his first blown save.
"Mo got him out and then was one out away from closing out this game," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It's unfortunate, but it's still one game."
The Red Sox are batting .329 with 52 runs through seven games of their nine-game homestand. Youkilis is 9-for-24 (.375) with three homers and eight RBIs during the stretch, while reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia is 12-for-28 (.429) with six runs scored and five RBIs.
Boston designated hitter David Ortiz, meanwhile, continues to struggle after going 1-for-6 with four strikeouts Friday. Ortiz has yet to homer and is batting .215.
On Saturday, Burnett will be opposed by a teammate from his days with Florida in Josh Beckett (2-1, 3.79), who pitched well against the Yankees last season. Beckett went 3-1 with a 3.25 ERA in four outings versus New York in 2008, improving to 7-4 with a 5.33 ERA in 12 career starts.
The Red Sox right-hander lasted six innings last Saturday to earn a 6-4 win over Baltimore. He allowed four runs over six innings.
"I had to get deeper in the game with as much bullpen as we've had to use over the last five or six days," Beckett told Boston's official Web site. "It is what it is. A win is big for us anytime. Obviously, I expect a little more out of myself."
Five players who will likely start Saturday for New York are hitting .290 or better against Beckett. That group includes Derek Jeter (.294), Melky Cabrera (.300), Robinson Cano (.333), Jorge Posada (.304) and Nick Swisher (4-for-9).
