Boston @ New York preview
Yankee Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 5, 2013 ) Boston 9, NY Yankees 8
Something about the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees squaring off in September and October brings out dramatic finishes, but the American League East rivals will be hard-pressed to match Thursday's epic when they continue their critical four-game series Friday in the Bronx. The Red Sox rallied twice in the opener to win 9-8 in 10 innings, increasing their division lead over Tampa Bay to 6 1/2 games and halting the momentum of New York's playoff push. The Yankees are nine games behind the Red Sox and 2 1/2 back of the Rays for the second wild card.
The Yankees had gone 17-7 since Aug. 11 to surge back into the playoff picture and appeared headed for another huge win Thursday before Boston rallied with two outs against closer Mariano Rivera. The Red Sox, who have clubbed 10 home runs in their last two games, have won three straight and 10 of their last 12 to seize control of the best record in the AL, and they turn to left-hander Felix Doubront to keep it going. After shutting down the Yankees in the first two meetings this year, Doubront was tagged for seven runs (six earned) in four innings on Aug. 16 in Boston.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (10-6, 3.89 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Andy Pettitte (10-9, 4.01)
Doubront had turned in two straight strong outings before getting roughed up for four runs in 3 2/3 innings last time out against the Chicago White Sox. It was the third time in his last five outings he has failed to last five frames. The 25-year-old is 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in 11 career games (seven starts) against the Yankees, including a 2-1 mark in three meetings this year.
Pettitte has recorded four consecutive quality starts and has not lost since Aug. 5. He was denied in a bid for a fourth straight win last time out against Baltimore despite allowing two runs over six innings. The 41-year-old is 20-11 with a 3.76 ERA in 42 games (40 starts) against Boston, including a 2-1 mark and 2.14 ERA in three meetings this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rivera's six blown saves this season are his most since 2003, and his 15 career blown saves against Boston are the most by any pitcher versus the Red Sox.
2. Several Red Sox players have hit Pettitte well, including DH David Ortiz (23-for-62, eight doubles, one homer), OF Jacoby Ellsbury (10-for-30, double, homer) and OF Jonny Gomes (11-for-31, two doubles, two homers).
3. Doubront has dominated New York 2B Robinson Cano (2-for-18, five strikeouts), OF Curtis Granderson (2-for-13, nine strikeouts), OF Ichiro Suzuki (2-for-13), SS Derek Jeter (2-for-13, three strikeouts) and OF Brett Gardner (1-for-10, four strikeouts).
PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Yankees 4