New York @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2018 ) Boston 1, NY Yankees 11

After struggling against the worst team in the majors, the New York Yankees take aim at the best when they visit Boston to open a four-game showdown against the Red Sox on Thursday night. New York had its three-game winning streak snapped by Baltimore on Wednesday and enters the series 5 1/2 games behind Boston in a matchup between baseball's top two teams.

The Yankees will catch a break after Boston ace Chris Sale, scheduled to start the series opener, was placed on the disabled list Tuesday due to shoulder inflammation. The Red Sox own the best home record in the majors (38-15) but are 7-4 since the All-Star break, have dropped five of nine to New York this season and scored only three runs in a two-game split versus Philadelphia. The Yankees fortified their bullpen with the acquisition of Zach Britton and added starting pitchers J.A. Happ and Lance Lynn in an attempt to overtake Boston and avoid the wild-card game. "I want to be where they're sitting right now," New York general manager Brian Cashman said of the Red Sox. "I'm watching them; they made obviously a lot of improvements as well. All these teams have been improving obviously right in front of us. They're the team we're chasing; they're the team we want to pass."

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (6-4, 3.53 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Brian Johnson (1-3, 3.45)

Sabathia went 4 2/3 innings against Kansas City on Saturday, leaving after striking out eight while allowing two runs on six hits in his first outing in two weeks. The 38-year-old did not pitch well in his last two starts before the All-Star break, giving up nine runs over 10 2/3 innings at Cleveland and Baltimore. Sabathia struggled against the Red Sox in May but tossed seven innings of one-run ball to beat them on June 29.

Although he rarely pitches deep into games, failing to go beyond 5 2/3 innings in his last five starts dating to June 28, Johnson has not allowed more than two runs in any outing during than span. He blanked the Twins on four hits over 5 2/3 innings last time out and limited Detroit to two unearned runs over five innings in his previous turn. Johnson has made three scoreless relief appearances this season against the Yankees.

WALK-OFFS

1. Yankees 2B Gleyber Torres went deep twice Wednesday, including his major league-best seventh three-run homer.

2. Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts was hit on the right hand by a pitch Tuesday. X-rays were negative.

3. Happ is dealing with hand, foot and mouth disease but is still scheduled to start Saturday's game.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Red Sox 3