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Red Sox eye series win over Yankees, set to debut Cespedes

Aug 2, 2014 - 2:26 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Newly-acquired outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will likely make his debut with the Boston Red Sox on Saturday as they face the rival New York Yankees at Fenway Park in the second of three straight meetings.

Cespedes, along with a competitive balance pick and cash, was sent from Oakland to Boston in exchange for ace Jon Lester and outfield Johnny Gomes in an eye-popping move before Thursday's trade deadline. The Cuban outfielder brings some much needed pop to the Red Sox's offense, with his 17 home runs this season more than the entire combined efforts of current Boston outfielders.

On Friday Cespedes was not in the lineup, but the Red Sox were still able to pull out a 4-3 victory over the Yankees.

Touted prospect Anthony Ranaudo made his MLB debut in the contest and pitched admirably, allowing two runs over six innings, although he walked four batters. Koji Uehara pitched a scoreless ninth to record his 22nd save of the season.

On the offensive side Dustin Pedroia went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI and Allen Craig, who was dealt to the Red Sox from the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday as part of the John Lackey trade, went 1-for-4 in his debut with the team.

Friday's win was just the second in the last 10 games for Boston.

Chris Capuano, who pitched for the Red Sox earlier this season, was responsible for the loss for the Yankees. He allowed four runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings of work. Carlos Beltran hit his 13th home run of the season and Derek Jeter also homered.

New York has lost five of its last six games.

On Saturday, in a pitching matchup between two youngsters, Shane Greene will start for New York, while Boston counters with Allen Webster.

Greene will be making just his fifth career start on Saturday and his first ever against the rival Red Sox. However, this will not be his first encounter with Boston. In his short-lived MLB debut on April 24, Greene allowed three unearned runs and walked three batters in one-third of an inning of work out of the bullpen.

The 25-year-old right-hander then waited until July 7 before he pitched again in the big leagues. On that day he made his first career start and did well for himself. He allowed just a pair of runs over six innings to lead the Yankees to a 5-3 victory.

He has made three starts since and accumulated a 2-1 record and 3.28 ERA overall this season. His most recent start was a difficult one, as he struggled to get through 5 1/3 innings, while giving up three runs on a career-worst eight hits.

Webster is younger than Greene (23), but he has a bit more experience at the major league level, having made eight starts combined in the last two seasons. This year he has made just one, however, when he allowed two runs and walked five in 5 1/3 innings on Sunday against Tampa Bay. A year ago he went 1-2 with an 8.60 ERA in eight total outings for Boston. Only one of those outings came against New York, who he pitched against in a relief role. He allowed one run in one inning during a 9-2 Boston victory.

New York has a slim 6-5 edge in the season series with Boston.