About two hours before his team opened its series against the Yankees on Friday, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was asked to describe the state of the team. Garrett Crochet, who will be on the mound Saturday night when the American League East rivals continue their three-game series in New York, is among the exceptions for the Red Sox.

Anthony Volpe homered in a five-run first inning, then came out after he was hit by a pitch on the left elbow as the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 9-6 on Friday night in the AL rivals’ first meeting this year.

NEW YORK — The Yankees and Red Sox’ first series of the season might start a little late due to rain. The weather was nice Friday at Yankee Stadium until around 5:30 p.m., when Red Sox batting practice was cut short due to rain falling from black clouds hovering in the sky.