New York @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2011 ) NY Yankees 2, Boston 3

THE STORY: The status of two Yankees superstars is uncertain as New York heads to Fenway Park for a three-game series starting Tuesday. Derek Jeter (bruised kneecap) and Alex Rodriguez (sore thumb) missed a second straight Yankees win on Monday, 3-2 in Baltimore. Jeter, who appears more likely to be in the lineup, had been on a tear until fouling a ball off his right knee in the opener of Sunday's doubleheader. Over his last 13 games, Jeter is hitting .491 (28-for-57) with two doubles, two triples and seven RBIs to raise his season batting average from .271 to .299. Boston, which leads its archrival by 1 1/2 games in the AL East, hasn't played since Saturday due to Hurricane Irene.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NESN, MY9, MLBN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH John Lackey (12-9, 5.98 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (17-7, 2.99 ERA).

Lackey threw 6 2/3 innings his last time out, giving up four runs on seven hits and three walks in an 11-5 win over Texas. He has won three straight starts against the Yankees, including two this season, both at Fenway Park. The last one came Aug. 6, when Lackey allowed three runs over six innings in a 10-4 win.

Sabathia has struggled lately, giving up 18 earned runs over his last 28 1/3 innings. He's 0-4 with a 7.20 ERA against Boston and 17-3 against all other teams this season. The Red Sox are hitting .324 against him and knocked him around for seven runs on nine hits in six innings on Aug. 6.

ABOUT THE RED SOX (82-51): Manager Terry Francona said he will throw Josh Beckett and Jon Lester following Lackey, adding he’s not sure if he’ll go with Andrew Miller or Tim Wakefield on Friday against Texas. Third baseman Kevin Youkilis (lower back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday or Wednesday. The Sox rank first in the majors in batting (.279), on-base percentage (.349) and slugging percentage (.458).

ABOUT THE YANKEES (80-52): The Yankees not only lead the majors in homers with 187, they've got 31 triples, third-most in the AL behind Tampa Bay (33) and Kansas City (32) and one shy of their total from 2010. Three Yanks (Robinson Cano, Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson) have at least six triples for the first time since 1976 (Chris Chambliss, Lou Piniella and Mickey Rivers). Setup man David Robertson has a 1.35 ERA, lowest among AL relievers, even after giving up his first run on the road in Monday's win.

FINAL PITCH: The Red Sox lead the season series 10-2. The teams also will play Sept. 23-25 at Yankee Stadium.