John Lackey was downright terrible in the first half of the 2011 season. Many Red Sox fans were calling for the right-handed hurler with a 6.84 ERA to be traded, moved to the bullpen or even released.
Since the All-Star break, however, Lackey (9-8, 6.23 ERA) is 3-0 with a 4.32 ERA in four starts. In that span, he has struck out 19 batters, while walking just a pair. Though his most recent start was the worst of the four, the veteran 32-year-old still managed 6 2/3 innings against the Indians and, despite allowing five runs on eight hits and back-to-back home runs, kept his team in the ballgame. The Red Sox eventually lost to Cleveland 9-6. He has silenced critics and re-established his place in the rotation.
On Saturday, Lackey will need to be on top of his game as the Red Sox take on the Yankees and their ace, CC Sabathia. Sabathia (16-5, 2.55 ERA) has been one of the best pitchers in the bigs all season, and is very consistent. He has allowed no more than two earned runs in each of his last eight starts, throwing at least seven innings in each outing. In that span, he has also averaged a whopping 9.75 strikeouts per game. However, he did match a season-high by allowing 10 hits to the White Sox in his last appearance.
Lackey has a bad history against current Yankees batters. New York batters enter the game with a collective .272 batting average, .348 on-base percentage and a .417 slugging percentage against him. They have nine home runs and 35 extra-base-hits in a combined 393 at-bats. Additionally, four of them have been hit by Lackey, including shortstop Derek Jeter who has been beaned five times. Mark Teixeira has arguably the best numbers against the Red Sox starter. The first baseman is 22-for-66 in his career against Lackey with two home runs and 11 RBIs. Jorge Posada (.319), Curtis Granderson (.316), Brett Gardner (.333) and Andruw Jones (.333) also enter the game with batting averages above the .300 mark.
The Red Sox have not seen quite as much consistent success across the board. Four of the eight players with at least 20 plate appearances against Sabathia — Dustin Pedroia, Jason Varitek, Adrian Gonzalez and Jacoby Ellsbury — are hitting under .230 against the 2007 Cy Young award winner. Designated hitter David Ortiz and third baseman Kevin Youkilis are tied for the team lead in home runs against the Yankees starter with two apiece. Youkilis also brings a .371 batting average, .488 on-base percentage, .714 slugging percentage and six extra-base hits in 35 career at-bats. Yankees vs. Lackey
Derek Jeter (84 plate appearances): .292 BA/.378 OBP/.417 SLG, 1 home run, 6 doubles, 7 RBIs, 5 walks, 21 strikeouts
Mark Teixeira (75): .333/.413/.455, 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 11 RBIs, 8 walks, 12 strikeouts
Nick Swisher (69): .133/.246/.250, 2 home runs, 1 double, 6 RBIs, 7 walks, 23 strikeouts
Jorge Posada (54): .319/.407/.447, 1 home run, 3 doubles, 4 RBIs, 7 walks, 9 strikeouts
Eric Chavez (53): .286/.302/.388, 1 home run, 2 doubles, 9 RBIs, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts
Robinson Cano (49): .255/.286/.383, 6 doubles, 5 RBIs, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts
Curtis Granderson (21): .316/ .381/.737, 1 home run, 2 triples, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts
Brett Gardner (16): .333/.375/.600, 1 triple, 2 doubles, 1 RBI, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts
Russell Martin (16): .167/.375/.250, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 4 walks, 2 strikeouts
Andruw Jones (7): .333/.429/.833, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 4 strikeouts
Francisco Cervelli and Eduardo Nunez have not faced the Boston starter.
Red Sox vs. Sabathia
Carl Crawford (65): .281/.292/.359, 1 triple, 3 doubles, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, 13 strikeouts
David Ortiz (53): .261/.358/.413, 2 home runs, 1 double, 4 RBIs, 5 walks, 12 strikeouts
Kevin Youkilis (43): .371/.488/.714, 2 home runs, 2 triples, 2 doubles, 5 RBIs, 7 walks, 7 strikeouts
Dustin Pedroia (40): .229/.308/.257, 1 double, 3 walks, 9 strikeouts
Marco Scutaro (40): .303/.425/.303, 4 RBIs, 7 walks, 2 strikeouts
Jason Varitek (32): .179/.281/.321, 1 home run, 1 double, 6 RBIs, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts
Adrian Gonzalez (22): .222/.364/.389, 1 home run, 5 RBIs, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts
Jacoby Ellsbury (21): .211/286/.263, 1 double, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts
Mike Aviles (10): .500/.500/.600, 1 double, 1 RBI
Darnell McDonald (10): .100/.100/.400, 1 home run, 1 RBI
Jarrod Saltalamacchia (7): .286/.286/.429, 1 double, 3 strikeouts
Josh Reddick has not faced the New York starter.