Pettitte Takes Ball As Yankees Begin Important Set Against Rival Red Sox
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's the rivalry of rivalries.
After four days off for the All-Star break, the Yankees kick off an important three-game series against the Red Sox on Friday night in Boston.
Entering the second half of the season, New York sits at 51-44, six games behind the American League East-leading Red Sox.
Andy Pettitte will take the ball for New York against Felix Doubront in the series opener (7:10 p.m.), Hiroki Kuroda will face off with John Lackey in the middle game of the series (4:05 p.m.) and CC Sabathia will start opposite Jon Lester in the series finale on Sunday (8:05 p.m.).
The Yankees will be without Derek Jeter, who was placed on the disabled list on Friday with a Grade 1 right quad strain after playing in just one game this season.
And Boston will miss the debut of Alex Rodriguez, who is expected to be called up for Monday's game against the Rangers.
The Yanks have 67 games remaining on their schedule, but they're not downplaying the significance of this set against Boston.
"I think there's urgency no matter what," outfielder Vernon Wells said. "The good thing is we have several games left against Boston, against the teams ahead of us. You control your destiny in the second half. You play well, you give yourself a chance."
The Red Sox are 4-2 against the Yankees this season, winning both series that the two clubs have played.
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