New York @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 5, 2011 ) NY Yankees 3, Boston 2

THE STORY: An eight-game winning streak has the New York Yankees atop the American League East for the first time in a month. Though ace CC Sabathia has struggled against their biggest division rival this season, the Yankees have to feel confident the AL Cy Young Award candidate can keep them there. Sabathia takes the hill looking for his major league-leading 17th win as the visiting Yankees shoot for a second straight victory over the rival Boston Red Sox on Saturday. New York ended a seven-game losing streak to Boston on Friday with a 3-2 victory, which mark its second win in 10 meetings between the teams this season.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH John Lackey (9-8, 6.23 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (16-5, 2.55).

The oft-maligned Lackey is 4-0 with a 3.41 ERA in his last five starts. He allowed five runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings, but didn’t receive a decision against Cleveland on Monday. The righthander has won his past two starts against the Yankees despite a 5.71 ERA in that span. Mark Teixiera is hitting .333 (20-for-60) with two homers and 11 RBIs against Lackey. Sabathia, a front-runner for the AL Cy Young Award, is 9-1 with a 1.76 ERA over his last 10 starts. He has been anything but dominant against the Red Sox this season, however. The burly lefthander is 0-3 with a 6.16 ERA in three starts. Dustin Pedroia is 5-for-7 against Sabathia this season - all singles.

ABOUT THE RED SOX (68-43): The Red Sox, who are in second place for the first time since early July, are on the verge of losing three straight for the first time since a four-game skid from June 21-25. Adrian Gonzalez had his 14-game hitting streak snapped Friday. He went 0-for-4 and stranded the bases loaded in the fifth inning. Gonzalez entered with the top home average (.393) in the majors. Shortstop Jed Lowrie (shoulder), who has been out since June 16, is expected to be activated from the disabled list Monday. Dustin Pedroia was named AL Player of the Month for July. It is the second straight month a Boston player has earned the award (Gonzalez).

ABOUT THE YANKEES (69-42): New York is in first place for the first time since it had a half-game lead July 6. The Yankees have gone 36-15 since suffering a home sweep at the hands of the Red Sox from June 7-9. Curtis Granderson is hitting .421 (8-for-19) with two homers and eight RBIs over the last five games. Reliever David Robertson has allowed only four earned runs in his last 28 2/3 innings. Bartolo Colon’s two-out walk in fifth inning Friday was the first issued by Yankees’ pitchers in 40 2/3 innings. It was the longest stretch since New York pitchers went six games without walking a batter in 2002.

FINAL PITCH: "I think it's fitting. We're supposed to be batting with these guys, we knew it was going to be a tough year in our division, and it's proved to be that.” – Teixeira, prior to Friday's game.