Yankees Vs. Red Sox: Historic Occasion As Rivals Meet For First Time In 2012

The New York Yankees will get their first look at manager Bobby Valentine and the new-look Boston Red Sox when the teams begin a three-game series this afternoon (3:05 p.m. ET/YES, MLB Network) at Fenway Park in Boston. Ivan Nova (2-0. 4.15 ERA) pitches for the Yankees Friday night against Clay Buchholz (1-0, 9.82) for Boston.

Friday's game marks a historic occasion as the Red Sox will be marking Fenway's 100th anniversary. The Yankees will help mark the occasion by wearing their 1912 New York Highlanders uniforms, the first time in franchise history that the Yankees have donned throwback jerseys.

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The Red Sox have staggered out of the gate this season, having started the season 4-8 and entering the weekend series on a three-game losing streak.

Valentine spent the offseason tweaking the Yankees whenever possible, and the controversial manager has quickly put himself at odds with his players by criticizing star Kevin Youkilis. While Valentine attempted to retract much of what he said, the damage has already been done as he drew fire from both Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia over his remarks.

In Game 2 on Saturday Freddy Garcia will pitch for the Yankees and Felix Doubront for Boston. In Game 3, CC Sabathia goes for the Yankees against Boston's Daniel Bard.