RHP John Lackey (9-12, 3.48).
VS
RHP Hiroki Kuroda (11-10, 2.99).
Game time: 7:10 p.m.
TV/Radio: NESN, MLB Network / WEEI, WCBS.
Red Sox vs. Kuroda: Drew 8-35, Pedroia 8-27, Ellsbury 8-23, Nava 6-20, Salty 5-23, Victorino 6-22, Carp 6-18, Ortiz 9-15, Gomes 2-13, Napoli 3-9, Berry 2-8, Lavarnway 1-8, Middlebrooks 3-8, Bradley 0-3.
Yankees vs. Lackey: Suzuki 33-110, Rodriguez 13-67, Cano 15-63, Wells 8-40, Soriano 5-37, Granderson 8-31, Gardner 11-31, Overbay 11-30, Nunez 4-9, Reynolds 2-11, Ryan 1-6, Stewart 1-4, Romine 1-4, Murphy 1-1.
Stat of the Day: Rodriguez is hitting .294/.391/.504 since appealing his suspension for what MLB said was using performance-enhancing drugs over multiple years. He has 653 home runs, seven away from tying Willie Mays for fourth place in history.
Notes: The Red Sox start the day with an 8.5 game lead in the division. The Yankees are a game out in the wild card race. ... The Yankees have won three straight and four of five after losing three in row against the Red Sox to start a four-game series last weekend. ... The Sox are 10-6 against the Yankees this season, outscoring them 98-78. ... Lackey is 2-1, 5.79 in three starts against the Yankees this season. He allowed seven runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings against the Yanks last Saturday but got the win. ... Kuroda is 1-3, 4.26 in five starts against the Red Sox this season. He gave up two runs on five hits over six innings last Sunday against the Sox in a game the Yankees won. ... The Sox are 29 of their last 29 on stolen bases, last getting nabbed on Aug. 9. ... The Sox are three games up on Oakland for the best record in the AL and percentage points behind the Braves for the best record in baseball.
Song of the Day: "Friday" by Joe Jackson.