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Boston Red Sox: Don’t overlook New York Yankees just yet

By Oliver Gold

BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 05: Austin Romine #28 of the New York Yankees looks on as Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox reacts as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of a game at Fenway Park on August 5, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 05: Austin Romine #28 of the New York Yankees looks on as Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox reacts as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning of a game at Fenway Park on August 5, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox will likely have to play the New York Yankees in the playoffs and the Red Sox should not underestimate the Bronx Bombers just yet.

Everything went right for the Boston Red Sox last weekend.

With a 5.5 game in the AL East, the Red Sox matched up with the New York Yankees, and the Red Sox swept their arch-rivals in a four-game series.

The Sox and Yankees had been battling for the top spot in the AL East all season, but with a 9.0 game lead in August and a sensational 80-34 record, it looks like it will be the Red Sox coming out on top in the AL East. 

However, even though the two teams might finish with the two best records in all of baseball, it is likely that they will meet in the ALDS. The Red Sox will likely finish with the best record in the American League and would have to face the winner of the Wild Card Game, which could very well be the Yankees. It would make it the first time the two teams meet in the playoffs since the Red Sox historic 3-0 ALCS comeback in 2004.

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We all know the long history between the Red Sox and Yankees and it would be great for baseball to see the two teams match up again in the playoffs.

Even though the Red Sox had a tremendous weekend and have a lot more momentum and confidence than the Yankees, should they match up in a playoff series, Boston would be silly to overlook the Yankees.

The Yankees are still legit

The Yankees have had a disappointing second half after entering the All-Star break just 4.5 games out of first place in the AL East. Despite facing below-average teams such as the Mets, Rays, and Royals before their series with the Red Sox, the Yankees were just 5-5 against those teams.

However, the Yankees have missed two of their best bats in Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez due to injury. Other than the 15-7 blowout in the first game of the series against the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees combined for just six runs in the last three games. The Red Sox have had their fair share of injuries as well with Chris Sale, Rafael Devers, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Ian Kinsler all injured, but the Yankees lineup is much different without Judge and Sanchez in there.

Despite all their recent struggles, the Yankees still sit at 70-42, the third best record in baseball behind the Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros.

Although he has struggled so far with the Yankees, it is hard to believe that Zach Britton won’t turn it around and get back to his old self. The Yankees have formed a terrific bullpen led by Britton, Dellin Betances, and Aroldis Chapman. The Yankees also lead the league in home runs with 177 and are second in runs with 571 behind the Red Sox.

Much better matchups in the American League

Currently, the Red Sox are World Series Favorites. With a sizzling lineup led by Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez and a stellar pitching staff led by Chris Sale and Rick Porcello as well as the success of newly acquired Steve Pearce and Nathan Eovaldi, the Red Sox have the most complete roster in the majors from top to bottom.

However, anything can happen in the playoffs. The Red Sox have lost in the ALDS two years in a row to the eventual American League champion.

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As a Red Sox fan, I would not want to face the Yankees in the playoffs. Teams with strong bullpens have had great success in October in recent years, and the Yankees bullpen is a lot better than the Red Sox bullpen. The Yankees have also had their fair share of success against the Red Sox and would be looking for revenge for both this weekend’s sweep and the 2004 ALCS.

The Athletics and Mariners would be much better matchups for the Red Sox in the ALDS. The Athletics have a strong bullpen but don’t have a great lineup like the Yankees do. The Mariners have a solid team all around but the Red Sox talent overmatches them from top to bottom. Currently, the Athletics are 4.0 games behind the Yankees for the first wild-card spot and are 2.0 games ahead of the Mariners for the second wild-card spot.

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The Red Sox still have six games left to play against the Yankees this year, three on the road and three at home. This includes the last three games of the season, but the Red Sox hope the division will be decided by then.

The Boston Red Sox would certainly be favored if they match up with the Yankees in the ALDS, especially with home-field advantage, but they should be hoping that they will avoid the Bronx Bombers.

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