How Yanks, Sox match up
The Yankees and Red Sox are set to meet in the playoffs for the first time since 2004, when Boston pulled off the most stunning comeback in baseball — and perhaps sports — history by overcoming a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS to win four straight on their way to the franchise’s first World Series victory since 1918. This ALDS won’t be able to match that drama, but it will put an even brighter spotlight on the rivalry’s new stars. The Post’s Dan Martin breaks down how the teams match up heading into the series:
AT THE PLATE
GETTING ON BASE: The Yankees put together one of the most fearsome lineups in recent memory, but even CC Sabathia admitted after the wild-card win over the A’s that Boston’s offense matches up. MVP candidate Mookie Betts had 14 extra-base hits in 17 games against the Yankees this season, and J.D. Martinez and Andrew Benintendi also hit well in the rivalry this year. But Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and even Gary Sanchez feasted on Red Sox pitching. Andrew McCutchen also figures to play a key role, with lefties Chris Sale and David Price slated to pitch the first two games. Edge: Even. POWER: Judge’s rocket home run in the first inning Wednesday is the best sign yet the right fielder is approaching his usual form as he recovers from a chip fracture in his right wrist. There likely won’t be a shortage of runs in this series, with the teams finishing first and second in runs scored in the majors. Luke Voit, who continued his stunning late-season heroics with a two-run triple against the A’s, has bludgeoned the Red Sox since arriving in The Bronx. In six games, the first baseman went 8-for-22 with five homers. On the other side, Steve Pearce mashed five homers and knocked in 14 runs in 43 plate appearances against Yankee pitching this season. Edge: Yankees.
ON THE BASEPATHS: The Yankees may be a younger team than they used to be, but they’re not faster. Brett Gardner may not start against lefties, depriving them of some speed, while the Red Sox have threats such as Betts, Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr. Edge: Red Sox.
IN THE FIELD
INFIELD: The Yankees showed their (lack of) confidence in their corner infielders in their wild-card win. Miguel Andujar was pulled for Adeiny Hechavarria in the sixth, and Voit was replaced by Neil Walker in the ninth. Expect a similar strategy in this series when the Yankees have the lead. Boston has its own question marks defensively, with Rafael Devers at third, especially. Edge: Even.
OUTFIELD: The trio of Betts, Benintendi and Bradley is as good as any in the game, while McCutchen, Aaron Hicks and Judge are above average. Edge: Red Sox.
BENCH
Hechavarria and Walker could play frequently in the series, although the Yankees like Voit even against right-handed pitching. Brock Holt and
Eduardo Nunez will be factors, as will Pearce, when he’s not starting at first or DH. Edge: Even.
ON THE MOUND
ROTATION: J.A. Happ was brought to The Bronx with this series in mind. He’s had among the most success against the Red Sox throughout his career, and the fact the Yankees didn’t go to him in the wild-card game allows them to start him twice if the series goes the distance. Masahiro Tanaka was without his splitter for much of September, which should be cause for concern. Sale, coming back from a shoulder injury, has seen his velocity dip since his return. When healthy, he was the best pitcher in the AL this season and has dominated the Yankees, but he also had a pair of shaky starts in last year’s ALDS against Houston. Price’s October travails have been well-chronicled, as have his problems against the Yankees.
Rick Porcello has shown an ability to overmatch the Yankees. Edge: Even.
BULLPEN: This has been Boston’s one glaring hole throughout the season, while the Yankees have one of the most dominant relief corps around. The Red Sox could narrow the gap in this series by continuing to use Steven Wright out of the pen and adding Eduardo Rodriguez or Nathan Eovaldi. Craig Kimbrel has been formidable as the closer, but in 10 postseason appearances, he’s seen just two wins. Dellin Betances,
David Robertson and Chad Green are all battle-tested, while Zach
Britton has looked better of late after recovering from offseason Achilles surgery.
Aroldis Chapman has regained his closing job after struggling with left knee tendinitis. Edge: Yankees.
MANAGER
Aaron Boone and Alex Cora have had two of the most successful rookie managerial seasons of all time. Granted, they each took over teams that reached the postseason a year ago, but so far, it’s hard to argue either wasn’t up to the task of replacing his predecessor — Joe Girardi in The Bronx and John Farrell in Boston. Edge: Even.
INTANGIBLES
The Red Sox just completed a historically good regular season, setting a franchise record with 108 wins to get home-field advantage throughout the postseason. They also clinched the AL East title two weeks ago, while the Yankees had to hold off Oakland until the final week to host the wild-card game then beat the A’s on Wednesday. The biggest question is Sale. If he’s able to regain his velocity and pitch like he did for much of 2018, the left-hander could be the deciding factor. Edge: Even.