Walker Buehler is stepping into the rivalry — and back into Yankee Stadium.

The right-hander will make his first regular-season start at Yankee Stadium on Friday, opening the Boston Red Sox–New York Yankees series in what he called a “historic and long-lasting” rivalry that tops even the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants in his view.

Buehler has pitched in high-leverage spots in the Bronx before. The last time he pitched against the Yankees, he closed out Game 5 of the World Series on one day of rest in what became the final blow to New York’s season. Alex Verdugo struck out swinging at a knuckle curve, and Buehler secured his place in postseason lore.

“I remember being absolutely petrified until it was over,” Buehler told The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey . “It was a one-run g

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