Jon Lester

Jon Lester is looking to build on his last outing when he matches up with David Phelps and the Yankees on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium.

After not earning a win in his previous seven starts, Lester (6-10, 5.20 ERA) had a great outing in Cleveland last Sunday, only allowing one run on three hits and two walks through six innings while striking out a season-high 12 batters. The lefty induced 19 swinging strikes, which also was a season high.

The 28-year-old has had his worst season in the majors this year, already eclipsing his season high in losses with 10. Lester is also averaging 9.7 hits per nine innings, which is his worst average since his rookie season in 2006.

Lester has faced the Yankees a lot throughout his career, and he has had some success against players such as Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson. However, Derek Jeter has a .345 batting average against Lester and Jayson Nix has a .375 average with three home runs in 18 plate appearances.

Phelps, who will be making his fifth start for the Yankees, is in his first season in the majors. The right-hander is 3-3 with a 2.53 ERA.

In his first four starts, Phelps has performed well as he is 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA and 19 strikeouts. However, the 25-year-old has not lasted long in any of his starts, as he pitched a maximum of five innings in those four outings.

Phelps got his first win as a starter in his last outing against the Rangers, when he allowed two runs off six hits in five innings while striking out three batters.

The Red Sox do not have much experience against Phelps, but Jarrod Saltalamacchia has been the best Red Sox hitter off of the right-hander, going 2-for-2 with a double.

Red Sox vs. Phelps (RHP)

Mike Aviles (3 plate appearances): .333 BA/.333 OBP/.333 SLG, 1 RBI, 1 strikeout

Adrian Gonzalez (3): .000/.000/.000

Dustin Pedroia (3): .333/.333/.333

Cody Ross (3): .333/.333/1.333, 1 home run, 2 RBIs, 2 strikeouts

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (2): 1.000/1.000/1.500, 1 double

Pedro Ciriaco (1): .000/.000/.000

Yankees vs. Lester (LHP)

Derek Jeter (59 plate appearances): .345 BA/.390 OBP/.400 SLG, 1 home run, 6 RBIs, 11 strikeouts

Robinson Cano (54): .240/.278/.320, 4 doubles, 4 RBIs, 10 strikeouts

Nick Swisher (48): .289/.404/.553, 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 11 strikeouts

Mark Teixeira (44): .250/.318/.350, 1 home run, 4 RBIs, 16 strikeouts

Andruw Jones (33): .292/.455/.417, 1 home run, 6 RBIs, 8 strikeouts

Ichiro Suzuki (32): .290/.313/.484, 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, 4 strikeouts

Curtis Granderson (28): .231/.286/.346, 1 home runs, 3 RBIs, 13 strikeouts

Jayson Nix (18): .375/.444/1.000, 1 double, 3 home runs, 5 strikeouts

Russell Martin (13): .250/.538/.250, 4 walks, 2 RBIs, 2 strikeouts

Raul Ibanez (12): .333/.333/.500, 2 doubles, 5 strikeouts

Casey McGehee (4): .250/.250/.250, 1 RBI, 1 strikeout

Chris Stewart (4): .500/.333/2.000, 1 home run, 2 RBIs, 1 strikeout