-First, and foremost, the Sox get their feared number 3 hitter back in the line-up tonight, Big Papi. Papi is coming off the DL after a 53-day, 45 game absence, where the Sox were able to assemble a 26-19 record. The record, though, does not quantify the offense’s struggles without him in the line-up. Without Papi hitting in that number 3 slot, the Sox offense has been out of the top 10 in all three Triple Crown categories, coincidently, with him in the line-up they are in the top 10 of all three.

-However, the player who everyone seems to be bashing recently, and the number 4 hitter in the Sox powerful 1-2 punch, Manny Ramirez is questionable for tonight’s game with a sore knee. Who knows if Manny is just pulling one of his many stunts to show the Sox front office how much they need him, or if his knee has really been bothering him. Ramirez is the only one who knows the answer to that question, and I’m sure he’ll be keeping it that way.

-An interesting storyline for tonight will be Joba Chamberlain making his first start at Fenway Park, especially with the past he has with the Red Sox, and most notably, Kevin Youkilis. Joba was none too happy with Youkilis’ slide in Yankee Stadium on July 5th, and he made it known when in Kevin’s next at bat, he promptly received a 97 mph fastball between his legs. Last season, Youk also received two fastballs over his head in the Bronx. It’ll be interesting to see how Joba handles Youk in his first at bat tonight; I know I’ll be watching.

-The Sox counter Chamberlain, with dueling flamethrower, Josh Beckett, on the mound tonight in Boston. Beckett comes into the game with a 9-6 record (3-0 against the Yankees) and a 3.98 ERA through 18 starts, with 113 K to 25 BB in 120 innings pitched. He is coming off a CG last time out, against the Los Angeles Angels. Beckett took the loss in the game, chucking 8 innings of 9 hit baseball, giving up 4 runs and striking out 6 along the way. Here’s hoping to 4-0 against those Bronx Bombers.

-Dustin Pedroia has been the team’s hottest hitter this month, batting at a .436 clip, raking 44 hits in his last 101 at bats. In 9 games against the Yankees this season, Pedroia has also been hot, hitting .350 against New York pitching. Robinson Cano, widely known in the baseball world as being a 2nd half hitter, has started on his tear in the last 30 days, dancing to the tune of a .359 avg with 4 HR, striking out only 4 times in that span.

-This 3 games series ranks high on both teams priority lists, as the Yankees come into Fenway Park only 3 games behind the Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. Both teams are in a tie at the top of the AL East as of the games played through July 24th. In the case of a series sweep for the Yankees, they would tie themselves with the Red Sox and once again show the baseball world they can never be counted out of the race for the division.

Every series between these two American League elites give us something to watch for, and this series will not disappoint. Be ready for a playoff atmosphere at Fenway Park at 7:05pm.