Boston @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2013 ) Boston 13, NY Yankees 9

The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are putting up historic offensive numbers as the rivals battle through a four-game series. The Yankees hope to outscore the Red Sox at least once and avoid a sweep when they host the series finale on Sunday. New York put up at least eight runs in each of the first three games - only to lose them all.

Boston is the first visiting team to score 12 or more runs in the same series against the Yankees since 1907, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, and totaled 34 runs in the first three games. The offensive surge has the Red Sox well in control of the race in the American League East and with the most wins in the majors (87). New York is still within shouting distance of the Tampa Bay Rays in the race for the second AL wild card, but dropped to fourth place in the division.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, TBS, NESN (Boston), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Jon Lester (13-8, 3.88 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (11-10, 2.99)

Lester will look for his seventh straight quality start on Sunday after holding Detroit to one run on eight hits over seven innings on Tuesday. The 29-year-old did not walk a batter in that outing and struck out a season-high nine in the win. Lester beat the Yankees in the season opener but allowed four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings to suffer a loss at New York on May 31.

Kuroda is suffering through a rough stretch with an 0-3 record and a 7.43 ERA in his last four starts. The Japan native surrendered six of his 18 home runs this season in his last three starts. Kuroda’s struggles began at Boston on Aug. 17, when he was knocked around for five runs (three earned) on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury flew to Colorado to get a second opinion on his troublesome right foot. Doctors are trying to determine if he has a fracture or a deep bone bruise.

2. New York SS Derek Jeter left Saturday’s game due to an issue in the area of his surgically repaired left ankle.

3. Boston 1B Mike Napoli is 9-for-17 with three homers and nine RBIs in the last four games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Yankees 5