Both with ninth-inning scores to seal victories, the Yankees and the Red Sox will renew their postseason rivalry for only the second time since the infamous 2004 series.

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On July 1, the Yankees were only two games above five hundred and the Red Sox were leading the AL East, on pace for 100 wins. To end the season, the Yankees had the same record (51-31) as the Red Sox had to start the season and vice versa (41-39).


The Yankees accomplished this largely by beating up the Red Sox after the trade deadline. To start the season, Boston ripped off seven straight wins, finishing July winning 10 of 13 games. Afterward, New York was flawless against Boston, sweeping two three-game series, including a pivotal series in late September that pushed the Yankees to lead the Wild Card race.



Gerrit Cole and Nathan Eovaldi are the projected starters. Cole has moderately struggled against the Red Sox this year, allowing at least three runs in three of four starts.

In seven starts, Eovaldi has done well against his former team, allowing two or fewer runs in all but a single game.

The Yankees have suffered three key injuries suffered in the past week. New York placed Luke Voit on the 60-day IL with left knee inflammation and DJ LeMahieu on the 10-day IL with a sports hernia. LeMahieu will miss at least the ALDS and will require offseason surgery. Then, just yesterday, Gio Urshela barreled into the Tampa Bay Rays dugout making a catch-of-the-year candidate play, reminiscent of Jeter’s Dive in 2004. He is optimistic to play, but no updates at the time of writing this article.

For Boston, JD Martinez sprained his ankle on Sunday and is questionable for Tuesday. They will also be without their top LHP reliever Josh Taylor, who has battled lower back issues throughout the season.


Giancarlo Stanton largely orchestrated the Yankees’ September sweep, with three home runs, seven hits, and 10 RBIs in the three-game series. The Red Sox will look largely towards Rafael Devers, who is on a streak of his own right now, and notched four hits and three RBIs in that same series.

With the Yankees on the road and battling key injuries, initial impressions favor the Red Sox. The Yankees’ chief hope is another stellar start from Cole to grab an early lead and have a revitalized bullpen carry them to an ALDS matchup with the Rays.


In the last two weeks, New York allows 2.33 runs in the first five innings, but holds opponents to just three and a half runs overall. Conversely, Boston starters do not allow even two runs per game, but the final four innings notch almost two and a half runs on average.


The Slip:

Yankees Moneyline (-125) – Lock It In Challenge Pick

First Five Under 4.5 (-115)

First Five ML/Game Winner – Tie/NY Yankees (+950)