Key Matchup
Thursday afternoon’s pitching matchup between Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester and New York Yankees starting pitcher Mike Mussina should be interesting. On the year, Lester is 12-5 with 116 strikeouts and a 3.49 ERA. In two starts against the Yankees this season, he’s 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA and a .241 opponents’ batting average in 16 innings. His last start at Yankee Stadium was a five-hit complete game shutout.

On the year, Mussina is 16-7 with 109 whiffs and a 3.45 ERA. In three starts against the Red Sox this season, he’s 1-2 with a 5.52 ERA and a .333 opponents’ batting average in 14 2/3 innings of work. Inside Yankee Stadium this season, Mussina is 10-6 in 17 starts with a 3.51 ERA.

Hottest Hitter
Over his last 10 contests, Sox outfielder Jason Bay has gone 14-for-40 (.350) with three dingers, nine RBIs, seven runs scored and two stolen bases. In 25 career Yankee Stadium at-bats, Bay has hit .200 with one home run, two RBIs and one run scored. It should be interesting to see how Bay embraces baseball’s greatest rivalry, especially as a member of the Red Sox.

Hottest Pitcher
I’m going to stray from the norm here a bit and label Red Sox relief pitcher Justin Masterson as the hottest pitcher on the Sox right now. Over his last 10 appearances, Masterson has notched 14 strikeouts, four walks and a 1.32 ERA in 13 2/3 innings. On the season, the 23-year-old right-hander is 4-3 with 57 strikeouts and a 3.24 ERA in 72 1/3 innings. In two career appearances against the Yankees (one start), Masterson is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA and a .346 opponents’ batting average in six innings. It will be interesting to see how the youngster adapts to the rivalry with a tad bit more seasoning in the bigs under his belt.

Series Prediction
I feel the Sox will take two out of three games in the three-game set. If things go the way they should, the Sox will outscore the Yankees 16-12.

Divisional Impact
The Sox could seal the deal for the Yankees here or open up a can of worms that may be hard to shut. The Yankees are 9 ½  games out of first place in the American League East and are five games behind the Sox in the Wild Card standings. Plus, they are 38-27 inside the hallowed walls of Yankee Stadium this season and are 6-4 over their last 10 contests.

The Sox are 32-37 away from the friendly confines of Fenway Park this year. In addition, they are 6-4 over their last 10 games. They are 4 ½ games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the No.1 spot in the AL East are one game up on the Minnesota Twins in the Wild Card standings. It’s truly now or nothing for our beloved Sox.