Boston @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2013 ) Boston 12, NY Yankees 8

The New York Yankees had a chance to make some noise in the American League East and cut a big chunk off their wild-card deficit until the bullpen got involved. The Yankees will try to avoid blowing a third straight lead when they host the rival Boston Red Sox on Saturday. Future Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera squandered a lead on Thursday and New York coughed up a five-run advantage in the seventh on Friday.

The Red Sox scored 41 runs in the last three games, including nine in the seventh and eighth innings on Friday. Shane Victornio hit the go-ahead home run and is 4-for-11 with a pair of blasts and five RBIs in the series. Boston is aiming for a fifth straight win and owns a commanding lead in the American League East over Tampa Bay while the Yankees chase the Rays in the race for the second wild-card spot.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH John Lackey (8-12, 3.22 ERA) vs. Yankees LH David Huff (2-0, 3.32)

Lackey is hoping to get some run support after coming up on the wrong end of a shutout for the sixth time this season on Monday against Detroit. The veteran is 1-6 in his last nine starts despite pitching into the seventh inning in each of those outings. Lackey’s lone win in that span came against New York on Aug. 17, when he allowed one run and six hits over 6 2/3 innings.

Huff is making his starting debut for the Yankees in place of Phil Hughes, who was pushed back to the bullpen. Huff allowed one run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings in relief of Hughes to earn a win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday. The former Cleveland Indians hurler is 0-2 in four games - three starts - against Boston despite a 1.62 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury (foot) and C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (back) are expected back in the lineup Saturday. Ellsbury missed Friday’s game and Saltalamacchia sat out four straight.

2. New York RHP David Robertson (shoulder) is expected to miss five or six games.

3. Boston 3B Will Middlebrooks is trying to homer in his fourth straight contest Saturday.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 3, Yankees 2