The Boston Red Sox's starting pitching has been a disaster lately, and the problem lies in the very first inning. On the season, the Red Sox have a 7.04 team ERA in the first frame, which is second-worst in Major League Baseball behind only the Colorado Rockies.

Walker Buehler got lit up for five runs in the first, raising the club's first-inning ERA to 7.06. That ranks 29th in the majors.

Yankees and Red Sox are all set to kick off their series on Friday in New York, with pitching matchups already confirmed.