The Red Sox haven't been to the postseason was in 2021, when they eliminated the Yankees in a one-game wild card, as per the playoff design then.
TAMPA, Fla. – Riding a five-game winning streak – with some of that early-season pinstriped swagger – the Yankees couldn’t have timed this rivalry weekend any better.
“We’re clicking on a lot of cylinders,’’ said Giancarlo Stanton. “So, it’s good to take this into’’ a four-game set at Yankee Stadium against the contending Boston Red Sox, beginning Thursday night.
Stanton's comments came late Wednesday night, after his latest jaw-dropping home run boosted the Yankees to a 6-4, 10-inning victory against the Rays at Steinbrenner Field, while the idle Red Sox arrived in New York.
Where the Red Sox, Yankees stand entering Game 127
Winners of seven of their last eight games, the Yankees (69-57) have moved atop the AL wild card standings by two games, with Boston (68-58) a half-game clear of the stumbling Seattle Mariners (68-60) in the third spot.
Boston has lost seven of its last 10 games and three straight - including two losses to the last-place Baltimore Orioles.
Yet, it's been a tremendous turnaround for the Red Sox, who looked like trade deadline sellers two months ago.
At the time they dealt star slugger Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in mid-June, the Red Sox were 37-36, in fourth place, 6.5 games behind the AL East-leading Yankees.
“I think they’ve been kind of (maneuvering) their roster in the last couple of years to get to a point where they now have some key core players that are obviously really good,’’ said Yankees manager Aaron Boone, with the likes of Ceddanne Rafaela and top prospect Roman Anthony in a lineup with vets Alex Bregman and Trevor Story.
Plus, ex-Yankee and veteran closer Aroldis Chapman (1.15 ERA) “is having an amazing year,’’ said Boone, who saw hints of the Red Sox putting things together late last year and this spring.
“They do a lot of things well, they’re athletic and I’m not surprised’’ by their emergence as a contender.
Boston's edge over the Bronx in 2025
So far in 2025, the Red Sox have “had our number,’’ said Boone, with Boston winning five of the first six games – including a June sweep at Fenway that revived the Red Sox.
“Hopefully, we can turn that around moving forward.’’
Both clubs are fighting for a lot at this point in the season,’’ said Boone, as the Yanks and Sox also chase the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays.
“I’m sure it’ll have a big feel to it and (we’re) excited to get after it with them.’’
Judge offered that the Yanks will “just play our game…stay locked in on that control what we can control and take care of business.’’
As for Boston’s edge so far in the season series, “you don’t worry about what happened,’’ said Stanton. “You just keep going.’’
After this weekend, the final Yanks-Red Sox regular season meeting is Sept. 12-14 at Boston.
Red Sox-Yankees pitching matchups
Thursday, 7:15 p.m. FOX
RHP Lucas Giolito (8-2, 3.63) vs. RHP Luis Gil (1-1, 5.14)
Friday, 7:05 p.m., Amazon/MLB Network
RHP Bryan Bello (9-6, 3.23) vs. LHP Max Fried (13-5, 3.26)
Saturday, 1:05 p.m., YES/MLB Network
LHP Garrett Crochet (13-5, 2.43) vs. RHP Will Warren (7-5, 4.25)
Sunday, 7:10 p.m., ESPN
RHP Dustin May (7-9, 4.59) vs. LHP Carlos Rodon (13-7, 3.24)
Most interesting game at Yankee Stadium
It's Friday night's game, with Fried matched up against Bello for the second time this season.
Fried has been searching for over a month to find his early form, during a period where he dealt with another blister problem (physically, Fried and the club have said there are no issues).
But over his last eight starts, the $218 million free agent lefty is 3-3 with a 6.80 ERA after going 10-2 with a 1.92 ERA in his first 17 starts. The Yanks have lost five of his last eight outings.
Back on June 15 at Fenway Park, Bello tossed seven scoreless innings in a 2-0 Red Sox win over the Yanks and Fried, who also sent seven innings and yielded two earned runs.
That was also Devers' last game with Boston, before being traded.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: As playoff contenders, Yankees, Red Sox ready to clash in the Bronx
Category: Baseball
