These two participated in a forum at Sacred Heart University in January:

Both men were gracious in their praise of each other and the other team. The Harvard-Yale effect was shown off last night, however. When asked about the rivalry, Lester said Red Sox players were well into it in single-A ball. Joba noted he wasnt aware of it until he got to the majors, noting it hit him right away with his first ejection.

I find it interesting that David Ortiz suggested Joba:

Just play the game the way its supposed to be.

The whole Chamberlain/Youkilis matchup is fascinating. First of all, Joba has yet to actually hit Kevin. I assume Jobas control is good enough that if he really wanted to plunk Youkilis, that would have happened. I also wonder why Kevin is the target. I assume he ran his mouth off at something, but I wonder about the trigger. With Ortiz making that statement, I wonder if hes trying to get Chamberlain to switch his target to Ortiz (Youkilis is the hotter hitter right now). If Chamberlain can safely pitch up and in to either or both batters, I dont see why he shouldnt continue to try to intimidate those hitters. That, as Ortiz knows, is part of the game.

Jon Lester will try to lower his ERA against a potent Yankees lineup. Photo: Icon SMIBoth pitchers have had some trouble early on. Chamberlain gives up too many walks and homer, Lester too many hits and homers. Both have something to prove tonight.

The Phillies find themselves 4 1/2 games behind the Marlins as the teams open a three game series in Miami. Brett Myers faces Josh Johnson. Batters tattooed Myers so far, hitting seven home runs in just 19 2/3 innings. That would be about 70 home runs over 200 innings. Johnson is pitching like an ace. He sports a 7 to 1 K/BB, and allowed just one long ball in his 21 2/3 innings of work.

The Nationals get to face the hottest pitcher in the National League as Johan Santana and the Mets host Washington. Johan allowed just one earned so far, and a total of three runs on the season. Hes struck over a third of the batters hes face this season. Scott Olsen takes the hill for the Nats. While Santana collected over twice as many strikeouts as hits allowed, Olsen has allowed twice as many hits as Ks.

Zack Greinke, the hottest pitcher in all of Baseball, hosts the Detroit Tigers and their rising star Rick Porcello. Porcellos showed great control in his first 12 innings of major league work, walking just one batter. Greinke has yet to allow a run of any kind, with a 34 innings scoreless streak dating back to last September. Hes allowed 22 base runners and struck out 26.

The Cubs and Cardinals play their second series of the season, the Cubs leading 2-1. The teams are even however, as theyve both scored 19 runs in their three games. Ryan Dempster and Adam Wainwright try to tame the offenses tonight. Its tough to figure out why Ryan Dempsters ERA is five. Hes walked too many batters, but he hasnt allowed an extra base hit with men on. Wainwrights problem early on is control, walking 12 in 16 1/3 innings. Hes allowed just a .143 BA with men on base, however.

Tim Lincecum tries to make it two good starts in a row as he takes on Doug Davis and the Arizona Diamondbacks. After control issues in his first two starts, the freak struck out 13 and walked no Diamondbacks on the 18th. Doug Davis got the win in that game, however, as he shutout the Giants for eight innings and the Giants bullpen blew the game.

Finally, the first place Mariners travel south to visit the Anaheim MASH unit known as the Angels. Erik Bedard is making a nice comeback from an injury filled 2008. Hes Kd 23 in 19 1/3 innings while walking three. Teams cant generate any power against the Mariners lefty as hes allowed a .274 slugging percentage this season. Shane Loux gets the call for LAnaheim. With 23 career strikeouts in 72 2/3 innings, he needs a great defense behind him to win.

The Mariners come in with a 3 1/2 game lead over the Angels, so they have a great opportunity here to bury one of their biggest rivals early by sweeping a three game series.

Enjoy!

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