Steve Merril's Sunday Night MLB Preview (Red Sox/Yankees)

THE YANKEES BECKON

Josh Beckett is having a season to forget for Boston, and the Red Sox fans are letting him hear about it. Beckett left a recent start due to a back ailment and he was serenaded with boos from the Fenway faithful. He will be making his second start against the Yankees this season. Back on July 6th, the righty picked up a no-decision after giving up 6 runs and eight hits in five innings of work. Beckett has allowed 4 runs or more in two straight outings and in five of his last eight starts overall. He only has 9 strikeouts in his last 20 innings pitched. Beckett has not won a road start since July 15th when he beat the Rays 7-3. His other problem has been going deep into games; Beckett hasn't seen the 8th inning since June 6th and that has been taxing the Red Sox bullpen.

THE AL SUITS HIM WELL

Hiroki Kuroda has made his first season in the American League a successful one so far going 11-8 with a 3.06 ERA. He is making his third start this season against Boston after getting no-decisions in his first two tries. On July 29th, Kuroda allowed 2 runs and four hits in eight innings, but he left the game and Boston won 3-2 in New York. July 6th was another no-decision for the righty after he allowed 7 runs and 10 hits in Boston. Kuroda has allowed just 3 runs in his last four home starts striking out 18 while walking only 4. Kuroda has not had an awful start since that game against Boston, but that game was on the road. The Yankees have scored just 9 runs in Kuroda’s last four starts.

THE WALKING WOUNDED

Boston's lineup is without David Ortiz (Achilles) and Will Middlebrooks (wrist). Daniel Nava and Ryan Sweeney are also out for Boston. With regards to pitching, the Red Sox are still without Vicente Padilla, Dice-K Matsuzaka and John Lackey although they have been able to get by with Aaron Cook. New York's lineup isn't at 100% as Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira are dealing with neck and wrist ailments. The rotation is still without CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte as well as Michael Pineda who was supposed to provide a boost.

TRENDS

Red Sox are 6-2-1 Over in Beckett’s last 9 road starts in New York Red Sox are 5-1 in Beckett's last 6 Sunday starts Yankees are 43-22 in their last 65 Sunday games Yankees are 4-0 Under in Kuroda’s last 4 home starts

HITTERS TO WATCH

Derek Jeter is 26-for-84 (.310) vs. Beckett Andruw Jones is 10-for-37 (.270) vs. Beckett Adrian Gonzalez is 10-for-29 (.345) vs. Kuroda Cody Ross is 6-for-25 (.240) vs. Kuroda