The Sox head back to the Bronx tonight for a pivotal three game set with the Bombers. While the pitching probables favor the Sox Wednesday and Thursday, the Yanks send Javier Vasquez to the hill to face Derek Lowe tonight. Daunting on paper though the pairing may be, Lowe has posted an impressive 1.71 ERA in his last three starts. A win tonight with the two subsequent pitching match-ups and who knows? Maybe the Sox leave the Bronx just 2.5 back?

Obviously, there is quite a bit of hype out there in various local and national publications. Murray Chass has an especially hacktastic write-up in this morning’s New York Times. Check out this gem of a quote…

“Like it or not, Red Sox fans, no matter what changes the Red Sox have made, no matter the team’s ingredients, the uniform shirts the players wear at Yankee Stadium the next three nights will still say “Boston.” Nothing more need be said, no further explanation needed.”

See that type of spot on analysis? Truly expert material there, Murray. Unfortunately, Chass does not heed his own advice and actually does take a stab at some actual analysis.

“Since Nixon’s return from a bad back a week later, the Red Sox have a 5-6 record. Nixon is hitting .258.”

Yeah Murray, .258/.368/.613.

Ass.

You know, over the last year or so, Murray Chass has shot up maybe to the very top of my list of people to call the morning after the Sox win the Series (and yes I do have that list). Why in God’s name someone would get their Yankee analysis from Chass and not Alex Belth or Larry Mahnken or Steven Goldman or Joe Sheehan is beyond me.

Anyway, enjoy the first game of what really is a vital series for the Sox if they want to hang around in this AL East race.