A heated rivalry, postseason implications and, perhaps, some added drama stemming from the last time these clubs met, sure sounds like a September matchup between the Yankees and Red Sox. The Yanks and Sox begin a four game series on Thursday in the Bronx with Ivan Nova (8-4, 2.88 ERA) taking on Jake Peavy (3-1, 3.18 ERA.) Nova won the American League Pitcher of the Month Award on Wednesday and will look to add to his resume. He threw the first shutout of his career in his last outing against the Orioles.
Peavy has given the Red Sox a big boost since his arrival, going 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA in six starts. This will be Peavy’s first “rivalry” start against the Yankees, a team he is 0-4 lifetime against with a 3.96 ERA.
The last time these two met, Ryan Dempster threw at Alex Rodriguez eventually hitting him. “I think time is always good,” Joe Girardi said of any remaining emotion. “I think that obviously we know what’s at stake, and we have to go out and play the games and win the games. That’s the most important thing.” Girardi said he doesn’t expect any retaliation to happen this weekend. After all, the Yankees have a playoff spot to fight for. “I think our guys understand what’s at stake.”
Notes on the game.
Robinson Cano has hit safely in 23 of his last 28 games, batting .387 with nine doubles and five homers in that stretch.
The Yankees are 15-1 when hitting at least one home run since Aug. 11
The Red Sox are facing the Yankees in New York for the last time this season. It’s also the first time Boston will see Derek Jeter, who leads all active players with 264 games and 321 hits against the Red Sox.
First pitch at 7:05 PM on Yes
