Boston has a 5-1 lead in the season series with New York and sits just a game behind its biggest rival in the American League East standings. "There was a lot of talk early on, when they were struggling - well they're not struggling anymore," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "They're playing good baseball." The Red Sox have won 15 of their last 21 games and the offense has really taken off with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez batting in the No. 3 hole. The former San Diego Padres star went 7 for 14 in a weekend sweep of the Athletics and has a major league-leading 50 RBIs. Boston is 10-8 versus division opponents this year and 92-70 over the past three campaigns.
Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester is 7-2 with a 3.94 ERA in 12 starts this season, but comes in off a disappointing home loss against the Chicago White Sox. He surrendered seven runs and eight hits over just 5 2/3 innings of work in that particular contest. The talented left-hander is a perfect 4-0 with a 3.30 ERA in seven road starts, allowing opponents to hit just .203 against him, but has also given up eight home runs in 43 2/3 frames. In 13 career starts versus the Yankees, Lester brings in a solid 7-1 mark and 3.49 ERA, registering a 4-1 mark and 3.28 ERA in six outings at Yankee Stadium.
New York has reeled off 13 wins in its last 18 games and the starting rotation has really come together by putting together a 6-1 record and 2.12 ERA over the final seven games of its latest road trip. "I think it's important to go home playing well," Girardi commented. "Guys feel good about themselves, feeling good about the way they're throwing the baseball, about the way they're hitting the baseball." Some of the Yankees offensive stars may find things difficult tonight against Lester, as first baseman Mark Teixeira is 6 for 27 against him, while third baseman Alex Rodriguez (.207) and second baseman Robinson Cano (.235) haven't done much better. New York is 3-3 when playing with a day off this season.
Continued: Baseball Picks
Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester is 7-2 with a 3.94 ERA in 12 starts this season, but comes in off a disappointing home loss against the Chicago White Sox. He surrendered seven runs and eight hits over just 5 2/3 innings of work in that particular contest. The talented left-hander is a perfect 4-0 with a 3.30 ERA in seven road starts, allowing opponents to hit just .203 against him, but has also given up eight home runs in 43 2/3 frames. In 13 career starts versus the Yankees, Lester brings in a solid 7-1 mark and 3.49 ERA, registering a 4-1 mark and 3.28 ERA in six outings at Yankee Stadium.
New York has reeled off 13 wins in its last 18 games and the starting rotation has really come together by putting together a 6-1 record and 2.12 ERA over the final seven games of its latest road trip. "I think it's important to go home playing well," Girardi commented. "Guys feel good about themselves, feeling good about the way they're throwing the baseball, about the way they're hitting the baseball." Some of the Yankees offensive stars may find things difficult tonight against Lester, as first baseman Mark Teixeira is 6 for 27 against him, while third baseman Alex Rodriguez (.207) and second baseman Robinson Cano (.235) haven't done much better. New York is 3-3 when playing with a day off this season.
Continued: Baseball Picks
