Two of the most historic teams in Major League Baseball will begin a new chapter in an already great rivalry when they meet once again in 2013.
The Boston Red Sox took two of the first three meetings with the New York Yankees this season as the American League East rivals began their respective campaigns against one another.
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Boston fed off a great Opening Day start by Jon Lester to defeat the Yankees 8-2 on April 1st at Yankee Stadium. Splitting the next two in New York, the Sox were out to a solid start after missing the playoffs in 2012.
When and Where to Watch AL East Showdown
The Yankees and Red Sox begin another three-game set on Friday, May 31st in the Bronx. First pitch is set for 7:05pm, EDT with television coverage available through the MLB Network, YES Network (New York area) and NESN TV (New England area).
Fans can also see the game via on-line live stream at MLB.TV.
Series Preview
Friday's series opener will feature two of the best pitchers in baseball as the Red Sox send Jon Lester to the mound where he'll square off against Yankee phenom CC Sabathia.
While Lester has enjoyed tremendous success through the early part of the season - posting a 6-1 record with a 3.34 ERA - Yankees ace CC Sabathia has struggled. Owning an even 4-4 record with a 3.96 ERA, Sabathia hasn't won a game in over a month with his last win coming in a 5-4 defeat of the Toronto Blue Jays on April 27th.
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New York and Boston enter the series as the top 2 teams in the American League East and while many thought the ball clubs would struggle this season, the Yanks and Sox continue to play strong baseball.
Although the Yankees were swept by the cross-town rival New York Mets earlier in the week and have dropped 5 straight, the fact that they've been able to stay near the top of the division should be applauded considering the high number of injuries they've suffered.
Shortstop Derek Jeter has been out since the end of spring training while third baseman Alex Rodriguez, centerfielder Curtis Granderson, first baseman Mark Teixeira, utility infielder Kevin Youkilis and veteran pitcher Andy Pettitte have all battled injury throughout the season.
In their absence, off-season acquisitions Travis Hafner, Vernon Wells and Lyle Overbay have filled the void in a tremendous way, each providing timely offense and consistent defense on a game-by-game basis. Once the Yankees return to full-strength, having this trio of players should benefit the club with tremendous depth as the season progresses.
The good news for New York and their line-up is that Youkilis and Teixeira are scheduled to come off the disabled list for Friday night's game with the Red Sox. In addition, Andy Pettitte should make his return when New York battles the Cleveland Indians on Monday.
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For all the injuries the Yankees have been forced to deal with this season, the Red Sox have remained relatively healthy as they currently hold the AL East division lead.
First baseman Mike Napoli has been phenomenal this season, leading the team in RBI's with 39 while also smacking 8 home runs. Veteran slugger David Ortiz is hitting well-over .300 slamming a team-high 9 home runs and driving in 35 runs. Speed has been there for Boston this season as Jacoby Ellsbury has been a terror on the base paths with 16 stolen bases.
The top of the pitching rotation has been stellar as well. Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are a combined 13-1 with Buchholz's ERA alone standing at 1.73 in over 70 innings of work.
Wrap Up
Though most thought the Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays would be the teams battling for AL East supremacy this season, the two clubs with the most recent success in divisional play are once again proving they can be competitive no matter what the situation calls for.
Be sure to catch the Yankees and Red Sox go at it once again on Friday, May 31st at 7:05pm, EDT. Television coverage will be provided by the MLB Network, the YES Network and NESN TV.
An on-line live stream will also be available through MLB.TV.
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