So much for that show.

After a rain out, it’s always hard to read how the next day’s matchup will go. Which pitcher warmed up more? (Answer: Josh Beckett) Which pitcher is less likely to be phased? (Answer: Josh Beckett) Which pitcher will be more affected by a late night before an early afternoon start? (Answer: Josh Beckett)

Beckett: More than ready to go.

What do you get when one guy is the answer to all those questions? We haven’t the slightest.

Beckett’s proved malleable to changing situations in the past - a rain-delayed Game 6 of the 2003 World Series, perhaps? - but no one really knows what to expect from Jon Danks on a short turnaround. For that matter, does anyone really know what to expect from Danks yet, period? We didn’t think so.

In fact, that could be a significant advantage for the ChiSox this afternoon. The White Sox have definitely seen plenty of Beckett. The Red Sox have seen very little of Danks. Advantage? Danks.

So how can we break down a game that is so thoroughly out of its intended context? Try a little bit of roster breakdown. The Red Sox will role out this lineup, assuming that they don’t substitute anyone (cough, cough Dustin Pedroia, cough) back in at an early morning meeting:

Alex Cora, 2B
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
David Oritz, DH
Manny Ramirez, LF
Mike Lowell, 3B
Bobby Kielty, RF
Jason Varitek, C
Coco Crisp, CF
Julio Lugo, SS

A couple notes from that prospective group jump out: 1) Bobby Kielty gets the start to face a lefty, which is equal parts endorsement of the job he’s done early in his acquisition and condemnation of $14 million a year albatross J.D. Drew’s inability to hit lefthanders himself. 2) There’s more speed in the turn of this lineup than any other, with Ferraris Coco Crisp and Julio Lugo passing the torch to Alex Cora at the top, assuming that Pedroia doesn’t slip back in, of course. (Random gratuitous author’s note: Has anyone else noticed that Pedroia looks like a 42 year-old manager of a Motel 6 when he’s not in his uniform? He stumbled out on the field in shorts and a warm up shirt last night and looked one pack of Camel Reds short of a character in a Vincent Gallo movie. It was truly eerie.)

Jermaine Dye: The Red Sox wanted him, but the Yankees will be cheering his bat for the next three days.

So, will those changes be enough for a big win, with the Yankees back in the same time zone at reeling Detroit? We’ll see in a few hours. After all the rain delays last night, it’s about time.

– Cameron Smith