Ponson Takes Hill for Game Two in Crucial BoSox Series

Paul Byrd, RHP (8-11, 4.61)
Red Sox (75-55)
Sidney Ponson, RHP (7-4, 4.67)
Yankees (70-60)

Scouting Report:
Red Sox: Byrd did not have his best stuff against the Blue Jays in his last start but was still able to collect the win; he allowed four runs on six hits over six innings. The right-hander walked two and struck out four to collect his first win as a member of the Red Sox. The right-hander was acquired from Cleveland in a trade on Aug. 12. Against the Yankees in his career, Byrd is 2-5 with a 4.90 ERA.

Yankees: Ponson had his worst outing of the season on Thursday at Toronto, lasting just two-plus innings and allowing seven runs on eight hits. Ponson had little command, uncharacteristic of his '08 Yankees tenure so far, and threw pitches over the heart of the plate. The seven runs allowed were his most since he did so on July 27 at Boston, a game he was similarly despondent after.