The Yankees find their way back up in Boston this weekend, starting a four-game set with the Red Sox Thursday night at Fenway Park. But, in this fourth meeting between these two rivals, there is more at stake.

The Red Sox currently own a healthy 5.5-game lead over the Yankees following New York's loss to the lowly Orioles on Wednesday. The Bombers, though, have a chance to cut that lead before embarking on what looks to be an easy August schedule on paper.

So why is this particular series so big for both squads? Well, they don't meet again until Sept. 18, which means this could either spark some momentum for the Yankees heading into the home stretch, or further separate the Red Sox from the rest of the pack.

Both teams want to set the tone early on in this series, and quality starting pitching will make that happen. Here's a look at how this series stacks up on the bump, and who has the edge...

Game 1: LHP CC Sabathia v. LHP Brian Johnson

The veteran Sabathia toes the rubber again in this rivalry, and his last outing against the Sox was great. He allowed just one run on six hits while striking out five and walking one over seven strong innings at Yankee Stadium. This outing, though, will be his first in Fenway this season.

Johnson gets the spot start here for Chris Sale, who is on the DL with shoulder inflammation. Johnson has been great in these type of outings, owning a 1.80 ERA in six starts this season. He hasn't faced any high-powered offense like the Yankees, though.

Edge: I'm giving the edge to experience in this matchup, and going with Sabathia. Johnson has been great recently, but his longest outing as been 5.2 innings. The Yankees can hit Boston's bullpen, and they'll want to get to them sooner rather than later.

Game 2: RHP Luis Severino v. RHP Rick Porcello

Severino has had a rough go in his last four starts, not being able to make it past the fifth inning. His latest outing was his shortest this season, allowing six runs on eight hits over 4.1 innings to a woeful Royals lineup. He was great in his last start against the Sox, though, not allowing a single run in 6.2 innings.

Porcello has been inconsistent as well lately. He threw a dud against the Blue Jays on July 13, allowing eight earned over two innings. And after throwing six shutout innings against the O's, he let the Twins get four runs on five hits over 5.2 innings. Against the Yankees this season, he owns a 3.65 ERA over three starts.

Edge: I would normally give this to the Yankees' ace, but this matchup for me is a toss up. Both pitchers are inconsistent, and giving the slight edge to the home pitcher doesn't work in this case either. Porcello has a 5.10 ERA at Fenway this season. Maybe this is where Severino turns things around.

Game 3: LHP J.A. Happ v. RHP Nathan Eovaldi

Both of these new guys have pitched in the AL East this season, but not like this.

Happ had a great debut with the Yanks, earning the win after one-run ball over six innings against the Royals over the weekend. Eovaldi was even better with a seven-inning shutout where he allowed only four hits to the Twins.

Edge: Eovaldi knows this rivalry having pitched with the Yankees in the past. Not only that, but he is pitching really well and is likely to hear a roaring Red Sox crowd after his first brilliant performance.

Game 4: RHP Masahiro Tanaka v. LHP David Price

Tanaka has come off the DL and done exactly what the Yankees hoped he would. He has allowed five total runs in his four starts, with his last two being shutout performances. But he has struggled against Boston this season with 10 earned runs allowed over two outings.

After tossing an awful eight-run game in which Yankees fans cheered him off the mound, Price looks to have turned it around. His latest start went eight innings, allowing just one run against the Phillies.

Edge: Tanaka may have been hit by the Sox, but the Yankees have owned Price since he came over to Boston. He owns an 8.43 ERA over nine starts against the Bombers.

Offensive Catalyst

This will be a big test for the Yankees at the plate, as Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez are both out for this series. The Yankees need hitters 1-9 to be active, but there is one player that can be the difference maker.

Gleyber Torres has been the catalyst for the Yankees all season, and the numbers don't lie. New York is 49-21 when Torres is in the lineup compared to 19-17 when he isn't. He strings together good at-bats, and after belting two home runs last night, his bat seems hot since coming off the DL.

Torres will also be looking for some redemption in the field after some lazy plays that contributed to the O's five-run second inning yesterday. When the 21-year-old goes, the rest of the Yankees' offense seems to follow.

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