Schlittler (8-3, 1.71 ERA) faces Connelly Early (6-5, 3.64 ERA) for a 7:10 PM ET first pitch at Fenway. This is the Yankees' 6th meeting with Boston this season, and Schlittler already has Boston's number — he's allowed just 2 ER over 13 2/3 innings against the Red Sox this year. Early has been solid in spots, but his xERA sits significantly above his posted numbers and he's surrendered 9 home runs this season.
The Yankees stumbled through a 3-game skid to open the week — including a 10-2 blowout loss at home to the Reds — before bouncing back to take 2 of 3 in Detroit. They come in at 48-31 and still sitting comfortably at the top of the AL East. The Red Sox are 32-46 and 14th out of 15 AL teams, with no real reinforcements on the way anytime soon.
The Yankees' own injury list is significant — Aaron Judge (stress fracture, first rib) is out until at least August, Giancarlo Stanton has reinjured his calf, and Max Fried is still on the 15-day IL. But even without that firepower, New York leads the Majors with 89 home runs as a team. Ben Rice (.286, 22 HR) has been the main engine. The Red Sox have 45 home runs total — 29th in baseball — and Garrett Crochet (shoulder, 60-day IL) is not expected back until after the All-Star break. Roman Anthony (finger/wrist) hasn't made substantive progress in recovery, per interim manager Chad Tracy.
- Day-To-DayTravis MacGregor SP — MacGregor underwent Tommy John surgery last September and will miss the entire 2019 season, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILRyan McMahon 3B — The Yankees placed McMahon on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a throat infection.
- 10-Day-ILTrent Grisham CF — Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that Grisham has resumed taking part in light on-field agility exercises and is making good progress in his recovery from a moderate right hamstring strain, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILGiancarlo Stanton DH — The Yankees announced that Stanton (calf) reinjured his calf and will have a slow week of activities, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILAaron Judge RF — The Yankees announced Thursday that Judge has a stress fracture of his first rib on his right side and will be sidelined for 4-to-6 weeks before being re-evaluated, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
- paternityAli Sanchez C — Sanchez took X-rays immediately following his early departure from Monday's game which came back negative, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.
- 15-Day-ILMax Fried SP — Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Fried (elbow) is expected to begin facing hitters by late June or early July, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
- 60-Day-ILClarke Schmidt SP — Schmidt (elbow) tossed a side session Wednesday and is "a couple of weeks" away from facing live hitters, per MLB.com.
- Day-To-DayCaleb Durbin 3B — The Red Sox announced that Durbin was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rockies in the third inning due to a partial dislocation of his left pinkie finger, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
- Day-To-DayHobie Harris RP — Harris was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
- 10-Day-ILRoman Anthony LF — Interim manager Chad Tracy said Wednesday that Anthony (finger/wrist) hasn't made any substantive progress in his recovery back in Boston since the Red Sox began their road trip last weekend, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
- 10-Day-ILIsiah Kiner-Falefa 2B — The Red Sox placed Kiner-Falefa on the 10-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Friday, with left forearm inflammation, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
- 10-Day-ILNick Sogard 3B — Sogard (oblique) told reporters Friday that he plans to start swinging a bat Monday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
- 15-Day-ILJovani Moran RP — The Red Sox placed Moran on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to Friday, with left elbow inflammation, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
- 60-Day-ILRomy Gonzalez 1B — Gonzalez (shoulder/hip) said Tuesday that he expects to return from the injured list and make his season debut Saturday against the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILGarrett Crochet SP — Crochet (shoulder/lat) has not yet been cleared to resume a throwing program following a scheduled re-evaluation Monday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
The Yankees hold a 4-1 advantage in the season series and have Schlittler on the mound. His 1.71 ERA is the lowest for a Yankees pitcher through 16 starts since Whitey Ford in 1964. His last outing was 6 innings, zero runs, 13 strikeouts, zero walks. He doesn't walk himself into trouble, and Boston's lineup doesn't have the pop to beat him with the long ball. For the Red Sox to win this game, Early needs to be dominant, the Yankees need to leave runners all over the bases, and Schlittler needs to have his worst start in months. All 3 happening at once is a stretch.