Sox-Yankees series is five times the fun Playoff hopes could ride on outcome

Five games in August: There is a book title there somewhere and maybe a division title.

THE doubleheader is on today at Fenway with the Yankees. The 5 games to be played this weekend are far more important to the Sox than the Yanks-that’s all about the standings.

Sox skipper Terry Francona spent a good deal of time deciding in what order his starters would work the games today. Jason Johnson will pitch the day game and Jon Lester the night affair.

“My job is to give us the best chance to win and in the end it came down trying not to blow out the bull pen in one day,” said Francona. He is banking on Lester being able to go deeper into the game and having his pen fresh for the opener.

The Sox are in trouble and they know it. Eric Hinske was acquired from Toronto to fill the void of bats from the left side.

“When Jeremy Bonderman (a Detroit starter) ran through our line-up and got comfortable because we were too heavy with right-handers, we had to do something,” said Francona.

Hinske is an emergency measure to fill in at the corners and come off the bench to hit.

Before the final game of the Detroit series on Wednesday, which the Sox won to avoid a three game sweep at home for the first time since 2002, Francona was testy. Even after the 6-4 win, Francona said of the key hit by Coco Crisp, “It was nice to see someone come up with a big hit.”

That was a shot at an offense that has gone cold in August.

Now, back to the pitching. Pitching coach Dave Wallace is back from serious health matters only to find serious pitching problems at Fenway.

“We are relying on four rookies to see us through the pennant drive,” said Wallace. “That is too many at one time, but we have to do it. Not only do they have to learn how to pitch at the major league level early in their careers, but they have to do it in a clutch situation with a team that is under unbelievable scrutiny.”

When Johnson and Lester are the first two starters against the Yankees, there is reason for concern. When your closer is a rookie, and maybe the rookie of the year, the fact Jonathan Papelbon has been magnificent still leaves room for jitters.

When a primary set up man is 22 year old rookie Craig Hansen, there is pause to be concerned.

When your supposed closer for the year, Keith Faulk, has been out for the season with an injury and is being reinstated today, you have no idea what he is capable of doing.

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez can be pitched to. One scout said the only reason the two of them continue to have the big numbers is the egos of pitchers who think they can challenge the hitters and win. That you can’t do with these two and Yankee manager Joe Torre knows it.

This is a defining moment for the Sox and their hopes of continuing a string of 3 consecutive post seasons. There are plenty of games left, but there is a tough west coast trip up after these 5 games with New York.

Most importantly, the mental ability to believe in themselves needs to be preserved, and heightened if possible, by the time the clock strikes midnight on Sunday.

Five games in August – does it get much better?

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and ABC sportscaster.