The Boston Red Sox are still in the hunt for the best series that could earn them a wild card spot in the American League, although Thursday night’s disappointing extra-inning loss to the New York Yankees certainly didn’t help.

Boston scored one run on four hits, went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position and squandered a chance to light the fuse it needed to save the season. The second half of this season, in which the Red Sox failed to complete a single series sweep, has not helped the team’s chances and continues to put Boston in a back-to-the-wall position with just 15 games — including Friday night’s — remaining.

Back in the Bronx for the second of two games with the division-leading Yankees, Red Sox manager Alex Cora reintroduced designated hitter Masataka Yoshida to the lineup — hitting in the cleanup position. Yoshida finished an impressive August with a .326/.381/.516 batting average with four homers, six doubles and 15 RBIs. Yoshida will face New York right-hander Clarke Schmidt, who has allowed three homers and 26 hits against left-handed hitters this season.

The Red Sox can’t settle for a one-point lead going into extra time if they are to make a triumphant final push for the play-offs.

Boston is 4 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the final wild card spot in the AL. They have four left-handed hitters and are hoping to even the series with New York.

First pitch from Yankee Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on Apple TV+. Here are the lineups for Boston and New York:

BOSTON RED SOX (74-73)
Jarren Duran, CF
Rafael Devers, 3B
Tyler O’Neill, LF
Masataka Yoshida, DH
Connor Wong, C
Wilyer Abreu, RF
Triston Huizen, 1B
Trevor story, SS
Ceddanne Rafaela, 2B

Tanner Houck, RHP (8-10, ERA 3.42)

NEW YORK YANKEES (84-63)
Gleyber Torres, 2B
Juan Soto, RF
Aaron Rechter, CF
Austin Wells, C
Giancarlo Stanton, DH
Jazz Chisholm Jr., 3B
Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Anthony Volpe, SS
Alex Verdugo, LF

Clarke Schmidt, RHP (5-2, 2.34 ERA)