Mastaka Yoshida returns for Rival Clash

The Boston Red Sox are still on the hunt for the breakthrough performance that could catapult them into a wild-card spot in the American League, although Thursday night’s crushing overtime loss to the New York Yankees certainly didn’t help.

Boston scored one run on four hits, went 0 of 11 with runners in scoring position and wasted a chance to light the fuse needed to save the season. The second half of this season, in which the Red Sox failed to record a single series win, has not helped the team’s chances and continues to put Boston in a difficult position with just 15 games – including Friday night’s game – remaining.

Back in the Bronx for the second of two games with the division-leading Yankees, Red Sox manager Alex Cora has put designated hitter Masataka Yoshida back in the lineup – batting fourth. Yoshida finished an impressive month of August with a batting average of .326/.381/.516 with four home runs, six doubles and 15 RBIs. Yoshida will face New York right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who has allowed three home runs and 26 hits against left-handers this season.

The Red Sox tilt will have to settle for going into overtime with a one-run offense if they want a triumphant finish to the playoffs.

Boston is 4 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final wild-card spot in the AL. The team has four left-handed hitters and hopes to even the series against New York.

First pitch at Yankee Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on Apple TV+. Here are the lineups for Boston and New York:

BOSTON RED SOX (74-73)
Jarren Duran, CF
Rafael Devers, 3B
Tyler O’Neill, LF
Masataka Yoshida, DH
Connor Wong, C
Wilyer Abreu, RF
Triston Casas, 1B
Trevor Story, SS
Ceddanne Rafaela, 2B

Tanner Houck, RHP (8-10, 3.42 ERA)

NEW YORK YANKEES (84-63)
Gleyber Torres, 2B
Juan Soto, RF
Aaron Judge, CF
Austin Wells, C
Giancarlo Stanton, DH
Jazz Chisholm Jr., 3B
Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Anthony Volpe, SS
Alex Verdugo, LF

Clarke Schmidt, RHP (5-2, 2.34 ERA)