The Yankees battered Buehler, now a starter for the Boston Red Sox, in their series-opening 9-6 win. They scored seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks against Buehler, who lasted only two innings.

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.

If this weekend's 3-game set against the Yankees isn't a make-or-break series for the Red Sox, it's pretty darn close.