Red Sox vs. Yankees Lineups: Keep it goin’

The Red Sox won in emphatic fashion on Thursday night in a big win during a crucial stretch of the season. Now, the challenge is to keep the momentum going into Friday’s game. You know the old saying: Momentum is only good as the next day’s starting pitcher. In this case, that means it’s only as good as Andrew Cashner. Based on what he’s done in his two starts since coming to the Red Sox earlier this month, that’s not a great sign! The righty has pitched 11 innings in those two starts allowing a total of ten runs (nine earned) with nine strikeouts and four walks. The good news is that he does have two quality starts against the Yankees in three starts. He was lit up in his other outing against New York, which came in his first start of the season.

The Red Sox don’t need domination from Cashner — though they wouldn’t say no to the prospect. Their offense has been rolling of late, and will look to keep that going on Friday. It’s going to be a challenge against James Paxton. The former Mariners ace has been extremely up and down this season, but historically Boston has always had trouble against the southpaw. In five starts against the Red Sox over his career, Paxton has pitched to a 1.89 ERA with 34 strikeouts and four walks over 33 ¹⁄₃ innings. That includes one outing this season in which he tossed eight shutout innings with 12 strikeouts. To try and flip that trend the Red Sox send out a platoon-heavy lineup featuring Michael Chavis at second and Sam Travis at first.

The full lineups are below: