Game time: 8 pm

Scheduled starters: Sidney Ponson (6-1, 4.02) v. Jon Lester (8-3, 3.20)

The game will be on ESPN

Boston weather: 3 pm observation at KBOS: wind out of the south at 14 mph, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 2,900 feet, broken clouds at 7,000 feet, overcast layer at 16,000 feet, temperature 77F, DP 66F

Forecast: Unsettled. There's a slow-moving cold front moving from the northwest to the southeast. The front was just approaching the NY/VT/MA border at 3 pm. There has been some intense thundershower activity ahead of the front, and at 3:30 pm there was a line of nasty-looking showers bearing down on the Connecticut River Valley in western MA. We can expect some activity from that line in eastern MA in the next couple hours, but it might not be severe. We've had overcast skies since around 8 am, and the atmosphere is very stable, so we might not be able to sustain the convection.

It looks like Boston will likely see some rain from the current line around 5-6 pm. There's a chance of more activity associated with the front after that. At 3:30 pm, there were some new cells building in the Hudson Valley, and that's likely to occur later in the evening.

It looks like they should be able to play the game, but there could be a rain delay or two.

The wind should remain out of the south at around 10-15 mph all evening. That is blowing out toward left.

Updates to follow.

Weather update:

At 5 pm the heavy rain was between I495 and I95/128. The line is moving at around 45 mph, so it will be in Boston at around 5:45-6:00 pm. The storms have decreased in intensity but they are capable of dumping an awful lot of water. Westover (KCEF) reported over one inch in an hour, and Windsor Locks (KBDL), Worcester (KORH), and Westfield (KBAF) reported almost one inch between 4 and 5 pm.

The back edge of the current area of storms is out around Albany, so we could be looking at rain beyond the starting time of the game.

It's still too early to try to "call" it for 8 pm.

The Sox released this at 4 pm...

The current weather forecast (provided by the Red Sox private weather service, Meteorlogix) in the vicinity of Fenway Park calls for a possibility of scattered thunderstorms for the late afternoon and early evening hours.

The Fenway Park gates will open at the regularly scheduled time of 6:05 p.m., and the Red Sox expect tonight's game with the New York Yankees to begin at the scheduled time at 8:05 p.m. However, the Red Sox want to alert our fans to the current forecast and the possibility of delay.

This forecast is of course subject to change as the day progresses. Additional updates will be provided as necessary.

I tend to disagree about "scattered" thunderstorms. That is a LINE, and it's been there since around 3 pm.

Anni,

You don't get enough credit for what you do. Thank you so much for your work, especially tonight after a 4 hour drive I knew I could count on you to give me a real assessment of the situation.

Cheers!
-Lockland

I don't think a rainout would be the worst thing with the circus like atmoshpere due to Manny. This weekend has the same feel as the 5 game series in 06 to me. No matter what they do, NY will just do a little more to get the win.

At 7 pm, the back edge of the rain shield is around I495. I think they will play, but I would be surprised if they start at 8 pm. I think ESPN wants this game, so they'll do what they have to do to get it in.

The heaviest rain is both north and south of Boston, so maybe the field won't be in bad shape.

At 7 pm, KBOS was reporting light rain; a little under 0.1 inch fell between 6 and 7 pm. Norwood, less than 10 miles to the southwest, recorded 0.4 inch in the same time span.

I'll take a rainout. The team clearly needs a day off to get its sh!t together.

They need to get this game in and win.

They'll play it. The only question now is if they'll start in the rain or wait until the rain stops.

Rain delay. The tarp is on the field. No official start time yet. I will guess around 8:45 - 9:15.

Lester vs. Ponson? The makeup game, if it's called, couldn't have a more favorable matchup for Boston.

No Morgan! The baseball Gods are loving Boston today!

BTW, I LOVED that sign. "Too Manny i$$ue$."

I like Miller and Hershiser is really good, but Phillips bothers me more than Morgan.

I didn't see any raindrops. Start the f'n game!

Start time is scheduled for 9 pm.

Weather Channel radar, when put in motion, makes it look like the storm might spin back into Boston. Then again, I am no meteorologist!

Jon Miller just introduced Francona as the "beleaguered" manager of the Sox. Oh boy, its gonna be a long night. Good start by Lester!

Way to jog after that Manny. Cripes. And I'm a fan!

Ya know, if Cliff Lee gets shelled a few times and Mo Rivera blows a few (saves), Lester may nab some Cy votes with the way he's going this year...Quietly, he's become one of the top 10 pitchers in the AL this season.

*Knocks on wood*

You mean Abreu's hit? Yeah, any other LFer would have cut it off. But, he caught ARod's fly. Get some runs!

annie your a legend, thanks for the continual updates

lets get this done, no sweep

Pondscum sucks. Let's light him up!

Like the aggressive baserunning.God, what a swing.

I love these softballs that Ponson is lobbing up there!

Love it Manny! Sounds like everyone is cheering now...

woohoo,way to go

second pitch miller, not first

Holding Manny? He'd have beaten that one by a mile.

Dare I say - good baserunning by Manny!

I agree. Manny did a great job.....HUSTLING!

Lots of love for Manny coming back into the dug out.

Alskor told us that his teammates are sick of him though

I guess they all want another ring enough to get over it.

According to Phillips, that was Molina up there, but I think Melky just struck out. Molina can lead off the third. Nice start Jon.

Lester has looked really dominant so far!



Edit: Alright Cora, way to go

i think maybe ive got a better chance of getting a hit than tek

then again maybe not

Ells with a double off the wall...nice

Your screen name makes me chuckle. Well done.

I remember people complaining about J.D. Drew, because he doesn't get fired up when he fails. Like, he looks the same when he strikes out as when he hits a home run, and that's a bad thing. (Note: If true, I disagree that it's a bad thing.)

But how about Varitek? He strikes out and marches back to the dugout like he's glad it's over so he can strap the gear back on. Isn't this as bad as when Drew does it?

Peds hits a sac fly, 4-0 good guys

Atom ball by Youks. Ponson is fooling nobody. Well, Tek.

great DP there

wow he just made abreu look foolish there

Two cheap hits but he got out of it nicely.

Manny 2-2, with 2 doubles. Hmmm...I like this Manny being Manny

Manny needs to just shutup and play

HOLY CRAP!!! TEK WITH A DOUBLE!!

my mojo about tek got him a hit

woohoo

It'll look like a line drive in the box score!

Geez, if Cora rips one tonight, Ponson will be back working the grocery counter at the local Piggly Wiggly!

lester dealin

Wow! I know it was rejection letter Sexson but that was nasty!!

He's the most fun to watch this year of any Sox pitcher, isn't he? Started up in Oakland back in April, game I attended.

Ponson = IDIOT!!

Attaway. PAPI!!

PAPPI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!