Tonight the Red Sox open their biggest regular season series against the Yankees in years, and the winner will assume pole position in the AL Wild Card race for the final two weeks.

With the stakes as high as they get, the Red Sox will hand the ball to Lucas Giolito first for Friday’s opener.

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Giolito (10-3, 3.38) is coming off an up-and-down outing in which he allowed four runs (only two earned) over five innings in a loss to the Diamondbacks. Prior to that he allowed one run over six innings despite walking five, but overall the veteran righty has been outstanding for the Red Sox this season.

Giolito will face off against Yankees right-hander Luis Gil (3-1, 3.31) under the bright lights.

Boston’s lineup will look largely the same as it has ever since Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu both went down. Jarren Duran is leading off and starting in left field, Ceddanne Rafaela is playing center and utility man Nate Eaton is in right. Nathaniel Lowe is starting at first base and batting cleanup, catcher Carlos Narvaez is behind the dish and David Hamilton will start at second.

Friday’s game will not be broadcast on NESN or any other traditional television network, and will instead be streamed exclusively on Apple TV+.

Red Sox lineup

Jarren Duran LF

Alex Bregman 3B

Trevor Story SS

Nathaniel Lowe 1B

Masataka Yoshida DH

Carlos Narvaez C

David Hamilton 2B

Nate Eaton RF

Ceddanne Rafaela CF

Lucas Giolito P

How to watch

When: 7:10 p.m.

Where: Fenway Park, Boston

Broadcast info: Apple TV+, WEEI 93.7 FM, WCCM 1490 AM (Spanish), WESX 1230 AM (Spanish)