(Sports Network) - The New York Yankees try to move past the Boston Red Sox and into first place in the American League East Wednesday night in Fenway Park. The Yankees cut the deficit to just a half-game in Tuesday's opener, as CC Sabathia labored through six innings to get his 18th win of the year and finally beat the Red Sox in New York's 5-2 win.
Josh Beckett will to keep the Red Sox atop the American League East standings this evening when they continue their key three-game series against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park.
Beckett has dominated the Yankees this year, going 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA in four starts against them. He won his second straight start last Wednesday in Texas, as he held the Rangers to a run and four hits in six innings to improve to 11-5 on the year to go along with a 2.43 ERA.
In 11 home starts this season Beckett is 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA.
New York, meanwhile, will rely on inconsistent right-hander Phil Hughes, who is 4-4 with a 6.46 ERA. Hughes was awful against Oakland on Thursday, as he lasted just 2 2/3 innings and was hit for six runs and seven hits. He escaped without a decision, though, as the Yankees went on to score 22 runs in the win.
Hughes absorbed the loss in a relief outing against the Red Sox back on August 7 and is just 2-4 lifetime against them with a 6.25 ERA in 15 games (seven starts).
The Yankees are expected to once again be without third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who is nursing a thumb injury.