Brett Gardner, Brian McCann out with Jon Lester on the mound

Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner is on a tear, but he won't be able to continue it Friday night unless he pinch-hits. Joe Girardi has elected to sit him against Red Sox premier left-hander Jon Lester.

Gardner is on an eight-game winning streak during which he has 10 hits in 31 at-bats with five RBI. But he generally rests against Lester, against whom he has just two hits in 11 career at-bats.

Also sitting against Lester will be catcher Brian McCann, another left-handed stick. He is batting .167 this season.