Boston Red Sox change the Story vs New York Yankees: A breakdown

It was the same story for the Boston Red Sox to start the final game of the four-game weekend series against the New York Yankees.

Like the first three games, the Yankees bats jumped on Red Sox starting pitching early, but like Saturday’s walk off extra innings win, the Sox bats took it to the Yankees’ bullpen to change the outcome of the game for the second consecutive game to earn a split of the series.

Boston Red Sox feeling good following comeback win

The 11-6 Sunday Night victory has the Red Sox feeling good about themselves because finally they haven’t lost a series in the AL East.  They didn’t win it either, but the way they battled back after dropping the first two games could and should be the spark this team needs to finally get over the hump vs the three teams they will compete for a playoff berth against.

"“I don’t think anyone would have bet that we would have split if after the first two,” Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts said following the game, via MLB.com.  “They’d definitely be lying, especially after the first two games.  We’re definitely happy with a split, especially by the way the first two games went.  It felt like it got out of hand quick.”"

That was 2022 All-Star shortstop Bogaerts speaking by the way.  With their other All-Star Rafael Devers out of the lineup due to a back injury, the Red Sox bats found a way to lift the team after falling 6-2 early in the game with Nick Pivetta on the mound.

Boston Red Sox starters are the X-factor moving forward

Speaking of Nick Pivetta, despite giving six funs over the first three innings, the Red Sox pitcher still found the outcome of the game fun.

The way his team battled back and picked him up was fun to watch for Pivetta even though his individual performance was a lackluster one. I mean, going up against Aaron Judge and that Yankees’ lineup, any pitcher would have a tough time, but going into the game it was important for Pivetta to set the tone.

He did not, but the offense was there to fight back against a New York Yankees bullpen that is looking like the team’s weak spot.

"“With the guys we have on the injured list, and the at-bats we put together today, the defensive plays we made, it was an all-around team positive coming out of this series two versus two,” Pivetta said following the game."

He is right, given the start of the season and all the injuries the team has played through, a 47-39 record at this point in the season is a good place to be.  As for any chance of catching the Yankees for the AL East crown, that could be a difficult feat, but being able to beat the team head-to-head in a playoff series should be the focus.

With how the bats have battled this weekend, if the Red Sox get their starting pitching rotation back intact, there is not much distance between the two.  With Chris Sale set to come back in the next series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox may get to see what their complete, health rotation will look like sooner rather than later.

Trevor Story, J.D. Martinez lead Boston Red Sox offense

Another X-factor moving forward is J.D. Martinez putting the “Just Dingers” nickname back in his initials.  He did do that last night with this two-run shot to tie the game at 6 in the fifth inning:

It was a new ballgame indeed at that point and perhaps a homer that will set Martinez off on an offensive explosion moving forward.

"“He’s a complete hitter,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of his DH.  “Like I said before, they go through [tough] stretches.  One thing about him, he’s going to keep working on his craft.  For him to drive the ball to right-center, that’s a good sign.”"

Another good sign is Trevor Story.  The Martinez blast may have evened the game, but it was Story’s bases clearing double that put the team on top for good.

To quote Bogaerts, “everyone did their job” in a game where the Red Sox had every reason to fold.  They did not and it could be the type of series, the type of game that boosts their confidence, especially with key players starting to return from injury in both the pitching rotation and in the lineup.

With the MLB Trade Deadline approaching, one or two moves to go along with that health could spark the 2022 Boston Red Sox into something special in a season where all hope was lost coming out of the gate.

Get ready for a fun playoff race.  The Red Sox continue to change the story.  The question is, can they write a spectacular conclusion.