Boston @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 18, 2013 ) NY Yankees 9, Boston 6

The New York Yankees have built themselves into a legitimate playoff contender over the last few weeks. That all started by taking a three-game series from the division-rival Boston Red Sox, who visit New York on Thursday for the start of a four-game set. The Red Sox have surged since then as well, winning nine of 11 to take a commanding lead in the American League East over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Yankees are attempting to track down the Rays for the second wild-card spot and are winners of 12 of their last 17. The last time New York faced Boston, slugger Alex Rodriguez was plunked by Ryan Dempster in a scene that brought players out of both dugouts and ended with Rodriguez getting redemption in the form of a long home run and a Yankees win. Dempster won’t appear in this series, however, and New York's pitching staff will have to slow a Boston offense that pounded out 20 runs against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Jake Peavy (11-5, 3.91 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Ivan Nova (8-4, 2.88)

Peavy, who is 3-1 with a 3.19 ERA since joining Boston, is coming off back-to-back wins after holding his former Chicago White Sox teammates to two runs over seven innings on Saturday. The dogged competitor is aiming for a fifth straight start with two or fewer runs allowed. Peavy is 0-4 with a 3.96 ERA against New York but has not faced the Yankees in 2013.

Nova, New York’s most consistent pitcher, was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for August after posting a 4-0 record with a 2.08 ERA in six starts. The 26-year-old Dominican scattered three hits against the Baltimore Orioles in the first shutout of his career last weekend. Nova is 2-2 with a 4.85 ERA in six career games - five starts - against the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz (neck/shoulder) is scheduled to make his final minor-league rehab start Thursday before rejoining the team next week.

2. New York RHP Phil Hughes was moved to the bullpen. RHP David Huff will get the start in Hughes’ usual spot on Saturday.

3. Boston C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (lower back) missed the last two games and could sit out the series opener.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Yankees 3