NEW YORK (Interstat) — The New York Yankees host the Boston Red Sox on Friday night at Yankee Stadium II, with first pitch scheduled under cloudy skies and 75-degree temperatures.

New York (37-25) enters the game as the clear favorite, holding a 1 ½-game lead in the American League East. Boston (26-35) arrives in last place, 11 games back, following a 8-2 loss to Baltimore on Thursday.

The Yankees have dominated the season series, sweeping a three-game set in Boston from April 21-23 by scores of 4-0, 4-1 and 4-2.

Pitching matchup

Left-hander Carlos Rodón (5-3, 3.18 ERA) is expected to start for New York. He is coming off a strong outing Thursday against Cleveland, allowing one earned run on two hits over six innings with seven strikeouts in a 2-1 win. Over his last three starts, Rodón has surrendered three earned runs in 17 innings with 17 strikeouts.

Boston counters with reliever Jovani Morán, who has been effective out of the bullpen. In his last outing Thursday against Baltimore, Morán tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit with three strikeouts. Over his previous six appearances, he has allowed one earned run over 6 2/3 innings.

Players to watch

Morán has posted a 1.35 ERA over his last five outings, striking out 11 in 6 1/3 innings. He has not allowed an earned run in four of those appearances.

Rodón has been the Yankees’ most consistent starter, with a 1.32 ERA over his last three starts. He has not allowed more than one earned run in any of those outings.

By the numbers

A game simulator projects a 6-4 Yankees victory. New York is a -1.5 favorite, with the over/under set at 8 runs.

Up next

The teams continue the three-game series Saturday and Sunday before Boston travels to Tampa Bay for three games and New York visits Cleveland for three.