The Red Sox and Yankees went head to head this weekend, firing up a long-standing rivalry. Maybe not as intense as the 2003-2004 season with Varitek, Jeter, Pedroia and A-Rod. But as we come to the last two months of the regular season, the AL East is closing in on the Red Sox and Yankees for the number-one spot in the divison.
Season Finale Heating Up
The Red Sox had Eduardo Rodriguez going Friday, Drew Pomeranz Saturday, and Chris Sale Sunday. Notice no David Price pitching in this series. That’s how big it is. The Red Sox took two out of three against the Yankees for a five-game division lead ahead of the Yankees.
The Red Sox had their eight-game win streak snapped Friday night, but came back to win Saturday and Sunday. That game went into extra innings after a monster home run by 20-year-old Rafael Devers, a rookie, off an Aroldis Chapman pitch clocked at 103 mph.
The Red Sox are on fire right now with Eduardo Nunez hitting leadoff. The Sox aquired Nunez before the trade deadline from the Giants. To date he’s produced 21 hits,12 RBI’s, four homers, and a .420 batting average in 52 at-bats. Devers has proven he belongs in The Bigs, batting a .319 average, with 15 hits and eight runs in 47 at bats.
Rookie Yankee Aaron Judge is having a great first season in New York. He leads the league with 35 home runs for a a .294 batting average, with 113 hits, and 86 runs from 385 at-bats this season.
Bullpen health check
The Red Sox have some bullpen questions, even after acquiring Addison Reed from the Mets. Reed completely crapped himself on the mound Friday night. Hopefully he pitches better in the next 60 days. They have only one standout pitcher — Chris Sale — who once again was absolutely dominant on Sunday.
I do smell a September collapse with this team though. The Red Sox have done it before in 2011 and could do it again. That would really kick John Farrell out of town.
They are playing good baseball, but I need to see how they do after this weekend before I predict that they’ll win the division. The Red Sox and Yankees play each other two more time this season so it will be interesting to see what happens. They play a series at Fenway Park, then a Series at Yankee Stadium in the beginning of September. So get ready for the rollercoaster ride of the Major League Baseball race to the end of the season. With the Red Sox anything can happen.