Red Sox Draw Big Lineup Advantage In Game 1 vs. Yankees

Boston Red Sox pitcher Connelly Early

Red Sox Draw Big Lineup Advantage In Game 1 vs. Yankees originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox will have the advantage on the mound in the first game against the AL East's first-place New York Yankees.

The young lefty Connelly Early will take the mound for the first time against New York since he made his iconic playoff debut in the Bronx. He will be squaring off with Luis Gil, who has started the season extremely rocky after having his debut delayed due to an injury.

Gil has taken the ball only twice this season. He threw 88 pitches in just four innings in a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in his first start. Five days later, he was able to get an inning deeper into a start against the Los Angeles Angels, but gave up four earned runs on three home runs and did not earn a decision.

As far as Boston's lineup is concerned, will be in the dugout for the third time in four games. is batting third as the designated hitter despite being 1-10 in his career against Gil. Yoshida is a righty killer, posting a .348 batting average against RHP this season.