The Boston Red Sox make the trip to Yankee Stadium on Saturday, June 6, for a 1:05 PM ET matinee against New York, with left-hander Jake Bennett drawing the start against Carlos Rodón. This is regular season baseball at its most intense — division rivals, a hostile Bronx crowd, and a Sox lineup that will need to be sharp against one of the more experienced arms in the American League. The game airs on NESN and MLB Network, so there's no excuse to miss it.

Pitching Matchup: Bennett vs. Rodón

Jake Bennett gets the ball for Boston, and this is a genuine test. Pitching at Yankee Stadium against a Yankees lineup is a different animal, and the Red Sox will need Bennett to command the strike zone and keep the ball in the park. Yankee Stadium's short porch in right field has eaten up plenty of visiting pitchers over the years, and Bennett will need to be mindful of it from the first pitch.

On the other side, Carlos Rodón is a proven veteran who can overpower lineups when he's locked in. The Sox have faced Rodón before and know what he brings — a sharp fastball-slider combination that gives left-handed hitters trouble in particular. Boston's lineup will need to work counts, stay disciplined early, and find a way to get to the Yankees' bullpen.

Red Sox Lineup to Watch

Boston is sending out a lineup that has some intriguing pieces. Ceddanne Rafaela hits second and brings elite defense in center field along with the kind of energy on the basepaths that can disrupt a pitcher's rhythm. Wilyer Abreu slots in third, and Willson Contreras bats cleanup at first base — a lineup construction that leans on players who need to perform in the middle of the order.

Adley Rutschman bats sixth and handles the catching duties. Having a switch-hitter with plate discipline behind the dish is a stabilizing factor for Bennett. Caleb Durbin at third and Andruw Monasterio at shortstop round out a lineup that isn't built around household names at the top, which means manufacturing runs and staying patient against Rodón will be critical.

Key Factors in This Game

• Bennett's command early: If the Red Sox starter falls behind in counts, the Yankees have enough pop in their lineup — Cody Bellinger, Heliot Ramos, Paul Goldschmidt leading off — to make him pay.
• Getting to Rodón: Boston needs Rafaela and Abreu to get on base at the top and force Rodón to work. Contreras and Rutschman have to be productive in the middle of the order.
• Bullpen depth: Saturday matinees can go sideways quickly. If Bennett doesn't go deep into the game, Boston's relief corps will need to hold serve in the Bronx.
• Defensive sharpness: The Yankees' lineup — from Goldschmidt through Bellinger — can punish defensive miscues. Boston cannot give New York free bases.

Prediction

This one figures to be a grind. Rodón is the more experienced arm in this matchup, and Yankee Stadium is a tough place to win. If Bennett competes and limits the big inning, the Red Sox have enough in their lineup to keep it close. But road wins in the Bronx don't come easy. Lean New York in a 4-2 final — though Boston is capable of making this interesting if the top of their order gets going early.