NEW YORK — When the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox square off in the post-season, you simply can’t ignore history.
These franchises have one of the greatest rivalries in sports, so, of course, that was a major talking point on Monday afternoon as they worked out at Yankee Stadium ahead of the next day’s opener of the American League Wild Card Series.
“It’s Red Sox-Yankees,” said New York manager Aaron Boone. “That gets your attention.”
However, the truth is this rivalry isn’t what it used to be. Sure, there was Aaron Judge playing Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York on his boom box at Fenway Park during the 2018 division series, but beyond that, it’s been lacking juice.
Maybe this is the week that reinvigorates the blood feud. If not, though, there are still enough compelling storylines to watch for as the clubs vie for a chance to move to the ALDS and play the Toronto Blue Jays.
The first of such storylines will unfold at the outset of Tuesday’s Game 1, when Garrett Crochet takes the mound for the Red Sox against Yankees hurler Max Fried (6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+).
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There are layers to this matchup of premier left-handers. Both were acquired by their respective clubs in the off-season and proceeded to cement themselves as aces.
“I mean, it’s very important, right?” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “Having that guy at the top of the rotation just sets the tempo for the rest of the week.”
Crochet, who posted a 2.59 ERA with 255 strikeouts over 32 starts spanning 205.1 innings, is a front-runner for the AL Cy Young Award, while Fried will also get consideration after producing a 2.86 ERA with 4.8 wins above replacement, per FanGraphs.
As excellent as their numbers are, what happens on Tuesday will ultimately impact how their debut seasons with new organizations are viewed. Success in the playoffs is the litmus test in these markets, and Fried, who’s appeared in 20 post-season games with the Braves and won a World Series title in 2021, knows that.
“I’ve never experienced a post-season in Yankee Stadium, but I’m expecting it to be electric,” Fried said. “I’ll obviously be leaning on (past experience), but this is its own game. New season, new circumstances; so really excited for that.”
Crochet faced New York four times this season (3-0, 3.29 ERA) and says he’s going to lean on previous at-bats against Yankees hitters while gameplanning.
“Obviously the implications are a little bit bigger, but for me, there’s no need to put any excess pressure on it,” Crochet said. “There’s already a good lineup on the other side, so that’s enough pressure as it is.”
Here’s a closer look at the matchup between the Red Sox and Yankees.
What’s working for the Yankees: The Yankees led MLB in home runs (274) and OPS (.787) and have carried that offensive momentum through to the end of the campaign. Ben Rice has emerged as a middle-of-the-order threat, Giancarlo Stanton is on a heater, and then there’s Aaron Judge.
The game’s best hitter put any questions about his right elbow to rest with a dominant September that included 10 homers and an absurd 241 wRC+.
“Everybody thought he wasn’t going to be able to do it because he didn’t have (Juan) Soto in the lineup,” Cora said, “and he was the best hitter in the league. I mean, think about batting average — I know people don’t value it, quote-unquote, but he hit like [.331] when guys are hitting .240, right? That’s special.
“Juan went to the Mets and people are like, ‘Well, they’re going to pitch around (Judge), he’s not going to get pitches to hit,’” the manager added. “No, he’s that good.”
What’s working for the Red Sox: Crochet is the headliner here, but the back end of the Red Sox bullpen is incredible and can shorten any game.
Right-hander Garrett Whitlock has been dominant in shutting down both left- and right-handed hitters, while closer Aroldis Chapman is having a season for the ages with a 1.17 ERA and 99th-percentile strikeout rate. Opponents are hitting just .132/.189/.198 off the 37-year-old fireballer.
“Aroldis, with the career he’s had, this may be his best season,” says Boone. “That’s saying something.”
Chapman was a longtime closer for the Yankees and is no stranger to nervy ninths in the Bronx. It feels like he’ll play an important role in this series, one way or another.
Potential Achilles heel for the Yankees: The bullpen has looked shaky down the stretch and could easily undo any gains that the powerful offence and starting pitching create. The struggles of right-hander Devin Williams have been well-documented this year; however, he’s been better of late and is on a string of nine consecutive scoreless outings.
“I think he’s in a really good place,” said Boone. “Proud of him. It’s not easy the things he went through this year. You’re one of the game’s great relievers and you come over here and have some hiccups early. He definitely faced his share of adversity but answered it at every turn, too.”
Potential Achilles heel for the Red Sox: Cora revealed that Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito will miss the wild card series due to an elbow issue, and that puts even more pressure on Crochet to secure a win in the opener.
Brayan Bello would likely get the Game 2 start, and while he was effective this season, the right-hander has never appeared in a post-season contest.
If the series goes to a decisive third game, it will be interesting to see who Cora turns to in Giolito’s absence.
“We’ll go the first two games and then we’ll decide,” said Cora. “Obviously we got some kids over there that have started lately, but first things first, Crochet, Bello, and if we have to make a decision for Game 3, we’ll go from there.”
It’ll all come down to: Home runs. That’s the Yankees’ recipe for success. Period. If they hit homers, they’ll win, but if Red Sox pitching can keep them in the park, things will get interesting in the Bronx.
