Red Sox at Yankees
The white-hot New York Yankees have made up 7 1/2 games on the Boston Red Sox since April 20 to pull into tie for first place in the American League East. The Yankees are on a 16-1 tear -- their best 17-game stretch since 1953 -- and look to extend their winning streak to eight when they resume their three-game series against visiting Boston on Wednesday night.
Giancarlo Stanton belted a pair of solo homers and Aaron Judge delivered the tiebreaking single in New York's 3-2 victory in the series opener. It was the 10th consecutive victory at home for the Yankees and set a record for the longest winning streak since moving into the new Yankee Stadium. Mookie Betts had an RBI triple among two hits for the Red Sox, who had a three-game win streak halted and had to scratch David Price (finger numbness) from Wednesday's scheduled start. Rick Porcello, resembling the pitcher who won the Cy Young Award in 2016 rather than the 17-game loser of a year ago, will replace Price and looks to remain unbeaten when he opposes New York right-hander Masahiro Tanaka.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, NESN (Boston), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (5-0, 2.14 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (4-2, 4.39)
Porcello record his sixth consecutive quality start last time out, striking out eight while holding Texas to one run on three hits over six innings. The 29-year-old sinkerballer has yet to permit more than three runs in a start and has fanned 46 while walking only five in 46 1/3 innings. Porcello is 9-8 overall against New York, but has struggled at Yankee Stadium with a 1-4 mark and 5.17 ERA in six starts.
Since he was pounded by the Red Sox and Miami in back-to-back outings, Tanaka has turned in three strong starts, although he settled for a no-decision after giving up three runs over six innings at Houston last time out. He won at Boston on April 11 but was tagged for six runs on seven hits, including a pair of homers. J.D. Martinez is 7-for-12 with three homers off Tanaka, who is 8-4 lifetime versus the Red Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. Stanton is 9-for-15 with two homers and five RBIs in four games versus Boston this season.
2. Betts is 10-for-22 with five homers and nine RBIs in his last six games.
3. Yankees LHP Aroldis Chapman recorded his 212th career save and 50th with New York in the series opener.