ALDS GAMETHREAD: Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees - Game 4

How will Aaron Boone’s New York Yankees respond after last night’s 16-1 drubbing in Game 3 of their NLDS matchup with the Boston Red Sox? The Yankees have to put it behind them quickly, because the AL East rivals go at it again tonight at 8:07 PM EDT with the Sox up 2-1 in the best-of-five series.

“No choice but to flush,” Boone said when asked about putting the loss behind them.

“The good thing around today is it’s one game, and as awful of a night as it was for us, we’ve got to turn the page, and tomorrow’s obviously do or die.”

Boston’s skipper, Alex Cora, talked after taking a lead in the series, about how difficult it will be to close out the series in the Yankees’ home in Game 4.

“It was tough today coming here 1-1,” Cora said.

“The only thing we know is that if we don’t win tomorrow, we have a Game 5. That’s the only thing we gain today.

“But we’ve got a chance to come here and put [together] a good game and see what happens. I know they trust CC [Sabathia]. We trust Rick [Porcello]. Veteran guys, they’ve done it for a few years. It should be fun.”

Before he knew that he would be pitching in a win-or-go-home game, Sabathia talked on Monday about the difficult opponent he’d be facing when he takes the mound tonight.

“Top to bottom, it’s a tough lineup,” the veteran lefty told reporters.

“They’ve got speed. They’ve got power. They take a lot of pitches. It’s a good lineup -- bad lineup for me in the fact they take a lot of pitches, they’re patient, and they do a good job of working the count.

“I’m just trying to be aggressive in the strike zone, attack, and try to get some swings early in the count.”

Sabathia, who went (9-7) in 29 starts this season, with a 3.65 ERA, 51 walks, and 140 Ks in 153 innings, was (1-0) in three outings against the Red Sox in the regular season with five walks and 12 Ks in 14 IP.

Porcello was (2-0) with a 2.31 ERA, four walks, and 20 Ks in four starts and 23 ¹⁄₃ IP against the Red Sox’ NL East rivals this season, which saw the right-hander finish up at (17-7) in 33 starts and 191 ¹⁄₃ IP overall, over which he had 48 walks and 190 Ks.

He was asked last night what he took from his regular season outings against the Yankees, including his complete game one-hitter against New York in early August.

“I just think attacking their hitters,” Porcello said. “That’s the biggest thing. These guys are very good hitters. They’re very well coached. They have a solid approach. If you fall behind guys, you give them the opportunity to see pitches in the strike zone. That’s the only way you can get back into the count because they’re disciplined and they don’t chase a lot. I think attacking, being aggressive, and go from there.”

Will the Red Sox wrap things up in Game 4 in Yankee Stadium, or will the Yankees force a Game 5 in Fenway Park on Thursday? We’ll find out tonight. Enjoy your ALDS action...