Ellsbury Heading Back To Fenway In A Yankees Uniform

If I asked you to name the biggest rivalry in the NBA, NFL or NHL their would be quite a bit of debate as to what the biggest rivalries in those sports are. The debate could rage for hours and no definitive answer would be found.  In the MLB, the answer to the biggest rivalry is clear.  It is the Boston Red Sox versus the New York Yankees.

That is why is is such a big deal that Jacoby Ellsbury is returning to his old stomping grounds in Fenway Park tonight after defecting to the Yankees.  It is true that the Red Sox visited him in New York earlier this month, but Ellsbury coming to Fenway is going to be a completely different story.

I’m not going to think about it too much, because it’s out of my hands. I gave that organization everything I had every time I stepped on the field.

-Jacoby Ellsbury

Ellsbury’s return to Fenway likely will not go over with the passionate Boston fans. He will simply need to hunker down and stay focused. Ellsbury will be feeling the pressure every time he steps to the plate. Ellsbury defected to the Yanks after he was offered a $153 million contract. He left the organization after playing an intricate part in their World Series win.

While everyone in Fenway will be focusing on Ellsbury, Japanese rookie Masarhiro Tanaka will be pitching.  He is off to a great start. He has a 2.05 ERA in three starts. Tanaka will get to throw his first pitch in the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry in his fourth career start. The righty has a club record of 28 K’s in his first three starts. He shutout the Chicago Cubs on two hits over eight inning in his last game. 

Boston will counter the young upstart with Jon Lester.  Lester has also pitch well in his starts this season.  He has a 2.17 career ERA and has pitched into the seventh inning in all his April starts.

The Red Sox are the favorites to win this game according to the spread.  The game starts at 7 p.m. ET.