The Sox will employ a slightly different pitching rotation against the Yankees, electing to give starter Clay Buchholz an extra day of rest to heal his sore back.
Jon Lester, coming off his first loss since April 12, will pitch the first game of the series Tuesday night. Lester will attempt to right the ship after allowing four or more earned runs in four of his last five starts.
Tim Wakefield remains in the rotation after it was announced that Daisuke Matsuzaka will undergo Tommy John surgery. Wake will start in Buchholz's place on Wednesday night. The knuckleballer, who has started just five games this year, will likely take on a more active starting role with Matsuzaka now lost for the season.
Thursday night's scheduled starter Josh Beckett has been absolutely dominant against the Bombers this season, racking up 19 strikeouts without allowing a run in 14 innings. Beckett allowed three runs on three hits in six innings of work in Boston's wild 14-inning win over the A's on Saturday.
Buchholz will make his return to the mound on Friday when the Sox take on the Blue Jays in Toronto.
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