Pettitte Takes The Mound To Open The Second Half

After an overachieving first half, the Yankees will begin their march to the playoffs with a tough three-game set against their rivals the Boston Red Sox, on the road in Boston. With injuries degrading most of the lineup, it'll be a series that can easily make or break the Yankees season.

Entering play at six games back, the Yanks need nothing more than to just win the series. As long as they can win at least two of the three games, they wouldn't lose any ground on the Red Sox, but losing more than just one game would put the Yankees farther away from any hope of making the playoff.

"I think there's urgency no matter what," Yankees outfielder Vernon Wells said. "The good thing is we have several games left against Boston, against the teams ahead of us. You control your destiny in the second half. You play well, you give yourself a chance."

Tonight's Lineup, 7:10 EST, @ Fenway Park:

Gardner 8
Suzuki 9
Cano 4
Wells DH
Almonte 7
Overbay 3
Lillibridge 5
Nunez 6
Stewart 2
Pettitte 1

Pitching Preview:

Andy Pettitte's first win of the season came against the Red Sox in his first start of the season when he pitched eight innings, giving up one run on eight hits. Now making his first start of the second half, Pettitte will look to continue his success against Boston's tough lineup.

The 41-year-old left-hander comes in 7-6 with a 4.39 ERA, having struggled since coming off the disabled list on June 3. In eight starts over that span, he's posted a 4.96 ERA, with opponents hitting .301 against him.

Pettitte's last outing came against the Royals on July 11th at Yankee Stadium, when he permitted four runs (three earned) on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings, while walking one and striking out one.

Pettitte will also be looking for his 20th career win against the Sox, entering with a 19-10 record to go along with 3.82 ERA in 40 games (38 starts).

The Yankees' short-handed bats will be going up against Red Sox left-hander Felix Doubront, who's had success in his career against New York with a 2.52 ERA in nine career games, including five starts.

Doubront has been pitching very well lately, with a 2.70 ERA over his past 11 outings, holding opponents to a .220 average. He faced the Seattle Mariners on July 10th, holding them to one run on five hits over seven innings, while striking out six.

Yankee Notes:

* The Yankees have announced that Derek Jeter has been placed on the 15-Day DL with a Grade 1 right quad strain. The injury is retroactive to July 12th and Jeter will be eligible to return July 27th. Jeter's injury really hurts Yanks on a lot of levels, but the biggest is against lefties -- he hit .364 vs. them last year.

* The Yankees have called up utility-man Brent Lillibridge to take Jeter's spot on the active roster. Lillibridge hit seven homeruns in 23 games while playing with the Yankees Triple-A team. He can play around the infield, as well as in the outfield.

* Robinson Cano is alive and well, batting third and playing second in the line tonight. Cano was hit on his right quad by a 96 mph fastball from Matt Harvey in his first at-bat during Tuesday's All-Star Game. After originally staying in the game, he removed himself about five minutes later.

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