Red Sox at Yankees
The Boston Red Sox used a 17-1 stretch to seize early control of the American League East, but the New York Yankees have utilized an identical surge to take over the top spot. The first-place Yankees look to make it 18 of 19 and complete a three-game sweep of the Red Sox when the American League East rivals meet Thursday in the Bronx.
Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge combined for six hits, six runs and five RBIs, including four on consecutive hits - Gardner's two-run triple and Judge's two-run homer - against Boston closer Craig Kimbrel in an eighth-inning rally that lifted New York to a 9-6 victory Wednesday night. "They're playing good baseball," Kimbrel told reporters of the Yankees, who have won 11 straight at home. "It seems like they're doing all the small things at the right time." New York was 7 1/2 games behind the Red Sox after the action on April 20, but has seized a one-game edge on Boston, which is 8-9 since its 17-1 run. CC Sabathia, who was 4-0 with a 1.04 ERA in four starts against the Red Sox last year, starts the finale for the Yankees opposite fellow lefty Eduardo Rodriguez.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), WPIX (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0, 5.29 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (2-0, 1.39)
Rodriguez posted three straight quality starts in the middle of April but has given up five runs in each of his last two outings. He struck out 10 in six frames but served up three home runs in his last start Saturday at Texas. The Red Sox are 6-0 in starts made by the Venezuela native, who is 4-2 with a 2.96 ERA in nine starts against the Yankees.
Sabathia is 2-0 with a 0.39 ERA in four starts since coming off the disabled list April 19, including six scoreless innings and a season-high seven strikeouts against Cleveland on Friday. He has lasted four straight starts without allowing a home run and has issued only three walks over his last five outings. The 37-year-old, who is 17-13 with a 4.12 ERA lifetime versus the Red Sox, has controlled matters against Hanley Ramirez (2-for-22), Xander Bogaerts (4-for-28) and Andrew Benintendi (2-for-11).
WALK-OFFS
1. Red Sox LHP David Price, who was originally scheduled to start Wednesday, was diagnosed with a mild case of carpal tunnel syndrome and is expected to throw a bullpen session Thursday.
2. Judge is 10-for-19 with two homers and five RBIs against Boston this year.
3. Red Sox 1B Mitch Moreland went deep Wednesday and is 11-for-21 with four homers and eight RBIs during a five-game hitting streak.