Yankees vs. Red Sox: Live Stream, Injuries, Pitching Matchup and Fantasy Preview

For the first time this season, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will renew their storied rivalry on Friday.

It's going to be a special afternoon, as the Sox will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park. Many former Red Sox stars will be in attendance, and both clubs will be wearing throwback uniforms.

When the game actually gets underway, the Red Sox will be looking to end a three-game losing streak that has given rise to myriad concerns. They're already in the cellar in the AL East, and the Yankees can push them a little deeper.

Here's a complete rundown of all the need-to-know info concerning Friday's game.

When: Friday, April 20th at 3:05 p.m. ET

Where: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

Watch: YES Network for Yankees, NESN for Red Sox; MLB Network will be airing the game nationally, and it will be streaming live online via MLB.TV (minimum $19.99 payment).

Injury Report

As reported by MLB.com, the Yankees placed speedy left fielder Brett Gardner on the 15-day DL with a right elbow injury on Wednesday. He hurt his elbow making a diving catch against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.

The Red Sox don't have any new injuries to report, but there are updates on Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury.

According to ESPNBoston.com, Crawford's surgically-repaired wrist is no longer a problem, but he's still feeling the effects of a strained left elbow. He won't be returning to action in the immediate future. Ellsbury, meanwhile, will not need to have surgery on his right shoulder, according to The Boston Globe. He will return this season, though there is no timetable for his return.

Starting for New York: Ivan Nova

Ivan Nova is off to a 2-0 start, but his numbers aren't particularly pretty. He has an ERA of 4.15 and a WHIP of 1.54. He's allowed 18 hits in 13 innings pitched, including three home runs.

Nova is 2-0 because a trend that developed last year has continued this year: he's getting a lot of run support. The Yankees scored six runs in his first start, and 11 in his next start. Without those runs, Nova might not be 2-0.

Credit where credit is due, at least Nova has provided the Yankees with innings. They'll gladly take six or seven innings from him every time he takes the mound. 

Nova had a tough time against the Red Sox last year. In two starts, he had a 6.75 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP against the Sox. Dustin Pedroia hits him well, as he's notched three hits in five at-bats against Nova. Two of those were doubles.

Starting for Boston: Clay Buchholz

Clay Buchholz is off to a rough start this season. He allowed seven earned runs in his first start against the Detroit Tigers, and five earned runs against the Tampa Bay Rays in his last start.

Buchholz's last start could have gone a lot worse, however. He allowed four runs in the first inning, but he settled down and allowed just one run over his next six innings. He eventually picked up a win, the first of his 2012 season.

Buchholz has not fared well against the Yankees in his career. In seven starts, he has a 5.59 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP against the Bombers, allowing six home runs in 38.2 innings pitched.

Robinson Cano has hit him well, as he has nine hits in 20 at-bats against Buchholz. Russell Martin and Mark Teixeira both have two career home runs against him.

Yankees' Fantasy Studs

Derek Jeter, SS

Along with many others, I figured Derek Jeter's days as a standout fantasy producer were all dried up. But this year, he's off to a very hot start, hitting .389 entering Thursday's action with four home runs and 10 RBI. He's second in the American League in hits with 21.

Against Buchholz, Jeter has five hits in 18 career at-bats.

Nick Swisher, OF

Nick Swisher's numbers don't jump out at you, but he's currently leading the Yankees with 13 RBI. He's picked up a lot of cheapies batting in the No. 6 spot in Joe Girardi's order.

Swisher has three hits in 12 career at-bats against Buchholz.

Robinson Cano, 2B

Robinson Cano hasn't gotten on track yet this season, but that doesn't mean he's lost his status as the best fantasy second baseman in the majors. He's going to hit better than .260.

A few ABs against Buchholz could be exactly what Cano needs to get going. 

Curtis Granderson, OF

Curtis Granderson is only hitting .208 on the young season, but he's kept the power coming. He's blasted three home runs, all in the last week.

However, Granderson is one guy who isn't looking forward to facing Buchholz. He's hitless in 11 at-bats against him.

Red Sox's Fantasy Studs

David Ortiz, DH

It's pretty obvious at this point that David Ortiz isn't washed up after all. He'll enter Friday's game with a .383 batting average. Eight of his 18 hits have been for extra bases.

However, Ortiz only has one hit in eight at-bats against Nova.

Adrian Gonzalez, 1B

Adrian Gonzalez is off to somewhat of a slow start, but there's nothing to be alarmed about. He could be doing a lot worse than .292 with a pair of home runs and eight RBI.

Gonzalez will also be looking to solve Nova. He has no hits against him in five at-bats. It's also worth noting that Gonzalez hit just .183 against the Yankees last season.

Dustin Pedroia, 2B

Robinson Cano is the best second baseman in fantasy, but Dustin Pedroia is pretty darn good in his own right. His batting average will climb higher than .271 as the season goes along, but there's a lot to like about the fact Pedroia already has three home runs.

As mentioned above, Pedroia loves to hit against Nova. He also hits the Yankees pretty well, as he has a .317 average against them for his career.

Prediction: Red Sox 9, Yankees 8

This will be a typical Yankees-Red Sox game. All pitchers will look like court jesters, tons of runs will be scored, and the game will last something like six hours.

I'm picking the Red Sox to win it primarily because they'll be better rested for this game, as the Yankees have to play a night game against the Twins on Thursday night before heading to Boston. I also like their chances to hang a crooked number on the board against Nova, and then tack on to it as the game goes along.