Historic Rivalry Continues with Both Teams at the Bottom of AL East
The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees, long-time rivals with a storied history, are set to face off once again in a September series that, for the first time in a while, doesn’t carry significant playoff implications. Both teams currently find themselves at the bottom of the American League East standings, with Boston holding a slight edge at 73-70, while New York stands at 71-72. Despite the absence of high playoff stakes, the anticipation and excitement surrounding these games remain as strong as ever.
The Red Sox have dominated the season series, winning eight of the first nine meetings, but the Yankees are determined to change their fortunes in this upcoming doubleheader, which was postponed from Monday due to inclement weather.
Reese McGuire, the Boston catcher, shared his thoughts on the rivalry, saying, “Another series against the division where you’re trying to compete and play good baseball. It’s always very fun when the Yankees come to town.”
For the Red Sox, Nick Pivetta (9-8, 4.54 ERA) will start the first game of the doubleheader, making only his fifth start since July 31. Pivetta, who has been primarily used in relief this season, is expected to become a regular in the rotation with James Paxton landing on the 15-day injured list due to right knee inflammation. Despite his career struggles against the Yankees (1-3 record, 7.23 ERA in 12 outings), Pivetta has performed well in recent relief appearances against New York.
In the nightcap, Kutter Crawford (6-7, 4.36) will take the mound for the Red Sox. Crawford had his scheduled Monday outing rained out but boasts an impressive 1.89 career ERA in 19 innings against the Yankees.
On the other side, the Yankees enter this series after a mixed September, winning five straight games before enduring a three-game losing streak. They finally secured a hard-fought 4-3, 13-inning victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.
Randy Vasquez (2-2, 2.36) will start the first game for the Yankees, making his first career appearance against the Red Sox. In the second game, lefty Carlos Rodon (2-5, 6.60) will face Boston, marking his first encounter with the team since 2021.
Despite the challenges and ups and downs, both teams are eager to renew their rivalry, and these games are sure to be a treat for baseball fans, showcasing the enduring passion and intensity of one of the sport’s greatest rivalries.
