Yankees hope to bottle a surge from Butler

BOSTON — The Yankees believe that Billy Butler will improve their offense against left-handed pitching, and they wasted no time putting that theory to the test, scribbling the designated hitter’s name into the lineup for Thursday’s series opener against the Red Sox.

Butler arrived at Fenway Park shortly before 6 p.m. ET, seeing his name slotted fifth in the order against Boston left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that the organization will serve “Country Breakfast” regular at-bats against southpaws down the stretch.

“That’s why we went and got him,” Girardi said. “Over his career, he’s been successful against left-handers, and we’re seeing three here, and I think one or two in Tampa. We’re going to see a lot, so we brought him in to help.”

In addition to Rodriguez, the Yankees are scheduled to face left-handers Drew Pomeranz and David Price in this four-game series, with right-hander Clay Buchholz scheduled to start for Boston on Friday. As a team, the Yanks entered Thursday with just a .689 OPS against left-handed pitching this season.

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Butler, 30, was released by the Athletics on Sunday after spending …

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