The Red Sox are set for an up-close lesson on how to build a hot streak as they head into New York on Friday night for a series against the Yankees.
The Yankees, at 59-39, are tied with the Nationals for the best record in baseball going into Friday. And, although they're returning from a 2-7 road trip that included a four-game sweep at the hands of the Oakland A's, New York came back with a bigger prize: outfielder Ichiro Suzuki.
Suzuki is one of several Yankees heating up recently. He's hitting just .261 this season but has a hit in every game since being traded from the Mariners. Now playing for a contender, his production could increase over the rest of the season.
Derek Jeter, who got a glimpse of the No. 2 spot again as Suzuki led off on Wednesday night, was 3-for-4 with a home run in the Yankees' 5-3 win over Seattle on Wednesday. He's helping set the plate nicely for Mark Teixeira, who is 15-for-44 (.341) since the All-Star break despite hitting just .262 over the season.
But the Red Sox also have a couple of players who have been solid despite Boston's recent stumbles against the Blue Jays (sweep at home) and Rangers (1-2 in Texas). Dustin Pedroia had a three-hit night in Arlington on Monday and also ripped a home run in the Red Sox' loss on Wednesday. Will Middlebrooks had two hits apiece each night in Texas, his hometown state, and has pulled his average up to .297.
Check out the hitting temperatures for the Red Sox and Yankees for July 27.
Red Sox
Dustin Pedroia 79
Will Middlebrooks 76
Jacoby Ellsbury 73
Nick Punto 71
Pedro Ciriaco 70
Adrian Gonzalez 68
Ryan Sweeney 66
Jarrod Saltalamacchia 65
Kelly Shoppach 62
Mike Aviles 61
Cody Ross 60
Daniel Nava 56
Carl Crawford 43
Yankees
Mark Teixeira 88
Derek Jeter 79
Robinson Cano 75
Ichiro Suzuki 72
Jayson Nix 67
Chris Stewart 67
Nick Swisher 64
Russell Martin 64
Curtis Granderson 63
Eric Chavez 62
Raul Ibanez 50
Andruw Jones 41
