Masahiro Tanaka (L), Jon Lester (R)

After splitting a four-game set with the Orioles, the Boston Red Sox welcome the New York Yankees to Fenway Park tonight for the first game of a three-game set.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESNplus in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Yankees market, you can catch the game on MY9. If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game as well. And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.

Jon Lester takes the hill for the fifth time in 2014 and for just the second time at home. In his previous four starts, Lester is 2-2 with a 2.17 ERA. He picked up his first win of 2014 against the Yankees when he allowed two runs over 6.2 innings of work. He’s made 27 career starts against the Evil Empire and is 12-5 with a 3.90 ERA. 10 of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 3-2 with a 4.55 ERA.

Masahiro Tanaka will make his fourth start of 2014. In his first three starts, Tanaka is 2-0 with a 2.05 ERA. Tonight will be his indoctrination to the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry.

New York Yankees11-8 Boston Red Sox9-11
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF 1. Grady Sizemore RF
2. Derek Jeter SS 2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Carlos Beltran DH 3. David Ortiz DH
4. Alfonso Soriano LF 4. Mike Napoli 1B
5. Mark Teixeira 1B 5. Jonny Gomes LF
6. Brian McCann C 6. A.J. Pierzynski C
7. Yangervis Solarte 3B 7. Xander Bogaerts SS
8. Ichiro Suzuki RF 8. Brock Holt 3B
9. Brian Roberts 2B 9. Jackie Bradley, Jr CF
Masahiro Tanaka SP Jon Lester SP

NOTES:

Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.

New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox Batter/Pitcher Matchups

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Daniel Nava out of Red Sox’ lineup tonight; back to Triple-A tomorrow? [clubhouse insider]

How is Ellsbury’s return different than Damon’s? [csn new england]

Rookies’ inexperience hurting Sox at times [csn new england]

Notes: Gomes gets start despite righty Tanaka on mound [csn new england]

Lester aiming to extend his roll [espn boston]

Notes: Victorino, Middlebrooks close [espn boston]

Farrell: Sleepover the result of research [espn boston]

How Does Tanaka Compare to Matsuzaka Through Three Starts? [extra bases]

Ellsbury’s Not Worried About Fenway Reception: ‘I Gave The Organization Everything I Had’ [extra bases]

Red Sox-Yankees series preview [full count]

Jacoby Ellsbury ready for return to Fenway Park: ‘I’m excited for the second part of my career’ [full count]

Jacoby Ellsbury Appreciative Of Red Sox, Boston Fans In Return To Fenway [nesn]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Yankees and Homecomings [providence journal]

Matt Barnes joins PawSox, will start Friday [providence journal]

Daniel Nava sits against right-handed starter [providence journal]

Jacoby Ellsbury not worrying about potential reception [providence journal]

Red Sox expect improvement from John Lackey [providence journal]

Lester looks to get best of Ellsbury, Yanks [red sox]

Waiting for Buchholz: Making sense of a pitcher’s diminished stuff [alex speier – weei]

Top 50 Red Sox Prospects of the Past 50 Years: Introduction, Or Hello Again, Juan Bustabad [touching all the bases]

Top 50 Red Sox prospects of past 50 years: 50-41 [touching all the bases]

photo credits: getty images, getty images