Andy Pettitte (7-9, 4.62 ERA) and Felix Doubront (8-5, 3.66 ERA) square off for the second time this season when the Yanks travel to Fenway. Pettitte has been inconsistent all season, but pitched well in his last start against the Tigers. He allowed one run on eight hits, but only lasted 4 1/3 innings with 101 pitches. 41 year old Pettitte will make his 42nd career appearance against Boston in the opener. The lefty vet has a great career record against the Red Sox (19-11 with a 3.87 ERA), but he’s coming off two straight outings in which he wasn’t able to complete five innings.
Doubront struggled with his command and lasted just four innings in his last start at Kansas City. He walked four and needed 98 pitches to record 12 outs. Doubront wound up with a no decision in a 5-3 victory.
Alex Rodriguez is batting .278 with one homer and four RBIs in his first nine games of the season, but the Yankees have gotten a jolt from Alfonso Soriano. Soriano has batted .296 with seven home runs in 18 games since being acquired from the Cubs, and he went 4-5 in Thursday’s 8-4 loss.
Robinson Cano finds himself on the verge of some momentous milestones. The All Star’s next home run will be 200th for his career, and he’ll become just the 16th Yankee to manage that feat. Cano is also close to passing Hall of Fame catcher Bill Dickey, who hit 202 career homers. He went 3-5 with a double Thursday, one day after a 4-4 performance. The second baseman has reached base safely in 13 of his last 16 plate appearances heading into Boston.
Notes on the game.
Ichiro Suzuki is six hits away from 4,000 combined between his tenure in Japan and the Major Leagues.
The Yankees transferred David Phelps to the 60 day disabled list, which means he won’t be able to return until September. Phelps is currently sidelined by a strained forearm.
First pitch at 7:10 PM on MY9
