It doesn’t seem that long ago when games between the Yankees and the Red Sox didn’t matter too much, at least in the standings. The Red Sox were spiralling, they fired manager Alex Cora and his coaching staff, the players were indignant, and they were just about to fall into the American League cellar. It was bleak.
And then the Yankees arrived in Fenway for a four-game series that could’ve ended Boston’s season. Instead the Red Sox earned a four-game sweep and haven’t looked back, amassing the best record in baseball since that series.
So does this weekend’s four-game set in the Bronx matter? You bet it does. Boston holds the edge in the season series at 5-4, so all they need to do is salvage a split to clinch the tie-breaker should these two teams end up tied in the standings after 162 games. With Tampa Bay refusing come back to the back, it’s entirely possible that Boston and New York could end up facing off in the wild card series again, and it would certainly be nice for those games to be in the Bronx. Also, it would just be nice if the Yankees could beat the Red Sox. Wouldn’t it?
[Photo courtesy of the author.]
Sorry for the delay, everybody. Technical issues on my end. Let's go, Yankees!
I know he has sucked recently, but it seems like the kind of game that Rosario should play in.
Double header today. So the Yankees will lose at least one game today. My back is acting up and dr’s orders are to take it easy.
Dang, Homer. Game over.
Jfc. A double with a guy on 2nd and he gets thrown out at home. Can't make this shite up!
I'm putting this into the deserve to lose category. What a clusterfuck. Booooooooooooo!
This is not good
How does Spencer look in CF? Game isn't on here.
This game is a cure for my insomnia
[8] He’s ok.
Booooo!
I must be a masochist, watching game #2
Good thing they were resting their hottest hitter.
These announcers aren't very good. Time to mute it.
I had to take the garbage out. And the Yankees are losing again.
Runs? What sorcery is this?
Run Roh, what’s up with Fried?
Could the Yanks use the DH for Wells and let the pitcher bat? Couldn't be any worse.
[16] Pitch count plan.
The bigger question is Lombard. Looked like he tweaked his knee.
[18] pitch count, phew.
Pitcher bat? I still have nightmares about Chien-Ming Wang.
Right knee discomfort for Lombardi? I’ve had that the last 20 years
[19] That was a Lisfrank injury, right? Running the bases.
Or Lisfranc, rather.
[22] fractured foot bone. I don’t want pitchers on the basepath.
Tack on runs. What a concept!
I don't recognize this team. What are these hits with RISP and Sac flies?
Save Bednar for tomorrow.
Selfishly disappointed with the Lombard injury. We’re seeing the Yankees twice next week — Tuesday in Anaheim, Sunday in San Diego. I was really looking forward to seeing him up close.
Never sad to see the Yanks pouring it on. I wasn’t sure how I felt heading into this series, but three out of four is pretty sweet.
Geez, the Yanks are coming up big in a big game.
I mean, the Red Sox aren't good -- they had a baffling hot streak, but I watch them a lot and I cannot believe they're a good team.
But still, very, very impressive, and this game actually counts for *three games* in the Wild Card standings against Boston! (Because we win, they lose, and we get the tie-breaker.)
Also never sad to see a Boston shortstop on the mound.
This has been a fun game.
And that was before the 3 run job!
You know how quite often a position player takes the mound, and you think, "Geez, why can't the Yankees just tee off on him like it was BP?"
Sometimes they can.
And more teeing off. Two home runs in the inning for Wells!
At what point do the Yankees just say enough is enough?
Okay, who had "Wells homers twice in one inning" as a proposition bet today?
Sometimes both teams get square numbers of runs, but I'm pretty sure the only time I've seen both teams get square *and* square of square numbers is in a 1-0 game.
Until now, I mean.
Hey the Yanks scored square numbers in every game of the series! And squares of squares in three of the four!
I meant to say, Hank: the picture you chose is such an Alex Belth picture!
Oh sure, the one game I can’t watch. . .
Playing the worst team in baseball, the Yankees come up with one of their worst efforts of the year. If you’re on the east coast and chose not to stay up, that was the right decision. Ugly stuff. And it’s only the sixth inning.
Here’s an idea. Let’s put Bednar into the eighth inning of a 7-1 game. What could go wrong?
I hate the angels.
Despise them.
I like Spencer in CF. Hopefully he can unseat Grisham.
Grisham showing he does not belong in CF.
Man, the pitching is outstanding again today! Only run was due to a gimpy CF not making a play.
I feel like Spencer Jones does have the raw physical tools to be an excellent CF, but he's not there yet.
Also, FOX is terrible. It's just awful. If we could have this game called by the NESN crew, I'd prefer that.
No one's going to convince me that the Padres do not know what Cole is throwing in this first inning. WTF! Three straight home runs and nearly a fourth.
[49] Shlittler had one of those games where he gave up a bunch of homers. It seemed like they were sitting on something.
I really thought Jones needed to play CF for a week in a row for Boone to be comfortable starting him there in the playoffs. That was never going to happen with Trent being available. Boone still might bo back to Trent, but at least now there is a chance to have the better hitter and probably fielder in the lineup.