Boston @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2013 ) Boston 7, NY Yankees 4

The Boston Red Sox have more wins through the first two games of the 2013 season than they did during the first 12 games of the 2011 and 2012 campaigns combined. After totaling one win in the first six games of 2011 and 2012, the Red Sox have clinched a series win over the rival New York Yankees and will try to make it a clean sweep behind newcomer Ryan Dempster on Thursday. The Yankees are just trying to get through the series healthy.

New York, which began the season with All-Stars Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson on the disabled list, had to pull starter Hiroki Kuroda in the second inning Wednesday after the right-hander was hit on the pitching hand with a line drive. That came off the bat of new Boston right fielder Shane Victorino, who has fit right in with four hits and four RBIs in his first two games with the team. On the other side, former Boston star Kevin Youkilis has been one of the few bright spots for the Yankees with three hits and two runs scored.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Ryan Dempster (2012: 12-8, 3.38 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Andy Pettitte (2012: 5-4, 2.87)

Needing a veteran pitcher who could guarantee the team plenty of quality innings, Boston picked up Dempster and signed him to a two-year, $26.5 million contract. After spending his entire career in the Nationals League, the 35-year-old was traded to the Texas Rangers at the deadline last year and went through a bit of an adjustment to the American League before settling in. One of his worst efforts came at Yankee Stadium, when he was knocked around for eight runs on nine hits in six innings to suffer a loss on Aug. 13. All of those runs were driven in by Nick Swisher, Jeter, Granderson and Eric Chavez, none of whom will be facing Dempster on Thursday.

Pettitte took nearly two months off in 2012 to recover from a freak play that resulted in a broken leg but was his usual reliable self when he was on the mound. The 40-year-old struck out 69 batters in 75 1/3 total innings and posted a pair of quality starts in the postseason after returning in mid-September. Pettitte did not face the Red Sox last season but is 18-10 with a 3.91 ERA in 39 career games - 37 starts - against the division rivals. Dustin Pedroia is 9-for-40 against the left-hander in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Daniel Nava went 2-for-3 with an RBI as the DH for Boston on Wednesday but could sit Thursday in favor of Jonny Gomes, who is 8-for-22 with a homer off Pettitte.

2. New York has hit the only two home runs in the series, with Travis Hafner belting a solo shot and Vernon Wells connecting for a three-run blast Wednesday.

3. Red Sox SS Stephen Drew (concussion) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Portland on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 3, Yankees 2