INSIDE THE MATCHUPS
If the Yankees are going to make another run at the Red Sox to get to the top of the AL East, this upcoming four-game series at Fenway Park could go a long way. Here’s how the two rivals match up:
AT THE PLATE
GETTING ON BASE: The Red Sox and Yankees lead the AL in on-base percentage, with Boston paced by MVP candidates Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez. The Red Sox are hoping the addition of Ian Kinsler, who has hit better the last couple of weeks, will deepen their lineup, while the Yankees are leaning even more on Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres in the absence of Aaron Judge. EDGE: RED SOX
HITTING FOR POWER: The loss of Judge — as well as Gary Sanchez — hurts the Yankees here, as well, but
Greg Bird heating up has helped, while Boston has not just the duo of Betts and Martinez, but Andrew Benintendi and Xander Bogaerts. EDGE: RED SOX ON THE BASES: For all the Yankees’ youth, they don’t have much speed outside of Tyler Wade. Betts and Benintendi can both run. EDGE: RED SOX
IN THE FIELD
INFIELD DEFENSE: Kinsler slides into second base, with third base a question mark now that Rafael Devers is on the DL. EDGE: EVEN OUTFIELD DEFENSE: Jackie Bradley Jr. remains one of the top center fielders in the game and Betts and Benintendi are excellent in the corners. Brett
Gardner, Aaron Hicks and Stanton are fine and the Yankees lack depth here. EDGE: RED SOX
BENCH
Wade provides speed off the bench, but besides that, the Yankees have just
Kyle Higashioka and Shane Robinson, while Boston has gotten production out of Brock Holt and Steve Pearce. EDGE: RED SOX
ON THE MOUND
ROTATION: The Red Sox took a huge hit when Chris Sale — slated to start Thursday — went on the DL with shoulder inflammation. Lefty Brian Johnson will take his spot. The Yankees also face uncertainty on Saturday with
J.A. Happ contracting hand, foot and mouth disease. He is scheduled to pitch, but Luis Cessa could be called up to replace him to face ex-Yankee Nathan Eovaldi. EDGE: EVEN BULLPEN: Boston’s relief corps will be hurt with Johnson needed in the rotation and the Yankees’ bullpen was already one of the best in the majors before they traded for Zach Britton last week. Adam Warren, though, was a valuable arm that was sent to Seattle. EDGE: YANKEES
MANAGER
Aaron Boone and Alex Cora have had dream rookie seasons in the dugout as they enter their first pennant race as managers. EDGE: EVEN
INTANGIBLES
The Yankees made some significant changes to their pitching staff, adding a pair of starters and an elite reliever, Boston didn’t do as much — but has steamrolled much of the league as currently constructed. EDGE: RED SOX