Yankees lineup vs. Red Sox: Curtis Granderson moves to leadoff spot

Sitting just one game back of the Rays for a wild card spot, the Yankees travel to Fenway Park to take on the AL East leaders in a crucial series for playoff hopes. The struggling Rays take on the Twins, so the Yankees will need a strong series in Boston to keep pace.

#Yankees lineup vs BOS: Granderson CF, Rodriguez DH, Cano 2B, Soriano LF, Overbay 1B, Nunez 3B, Ichiro RF, Ryan SS, Stewart C, Kuroda P

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 13, 2013

Curtis Granderson gets a shot to leadoff instead of the predictable move, which would have been to turn to Ichiro Suzuki with Brett Gardner potentially being out for the remainder of the season. Alex Rodriguez, who is still experiencing soreness in his hamstring, is the DH once again. Despite the fact that Chris Stewart can't count to three and spent a good chunk of last night's game running around by the backstop, J.R. Murphy is still not allowed to start a game.

Rodriguez has easily the best power numbers against Red Sox starter John Lackey with five career home runs. Only Ichiro and Granderson have home runs off Lackey in the lineup tonight with one a piece. Offense wasn't the problem when the two teams met last weekend at Yankee Stadium, but keeping up with a potent Red Sox lineup will certainly be a challenge they'll have to meet if they want to compete this weekend.

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