Playoff. Baseball. Is. Back.
Yankees vs Red Sox will occur tonight with the season truly on the line for both teams. It’s win or go home in a one-game elimination format, and in baseball, this is a rare occurrence.
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have played 162 games, and their season comes down to one night. How can you not love playoff baseball?
The Yankees are favored in this matchup, but this means nothing. In baseball, anything can happen. I am not going to lie and say Boston is better than New York because they are not as talented. However, this is the Red Sox game to lose tonight for a couple of reasons.
Four Games in a Row…I Don’t Think So
We saw this same pitching matchup at the end of September when New York won the first game of their sweep against Boston. Gerrit Cole gave up three runs in his best outing of the season at Fenway Park.
Nathan Eovaldi had his worst start of the year, but the pitcher is a competitor. There is no doubting that Eovaldi is chomping at the bit to redeem his performance the last time New York came to town.
Eovaldi has been terrific for Boston in the playoffs. There is no one else this team would rather have on the mound in this moment with the season on the line. New York has won three straight games at Fenway Park, and I believe they have too much pride for it to happen for a fourth consecutive night.
Yankees vs Red Sox: Gerrit Cole Struggles
It would not surprise me if Gerrit Cole were fantastic tonight, but the numbers do not support this idea. Cole has immensely struggled at Fenway Park in 2021 over three starts. Anything can happen in the playoffs, but Cole’s second-half statistics do not support his paycheck.
The odds are against Cole to bounce back at Fenway on Tuesday night. If he wins the battle, the Red Sox must tip their caps, but the Yankees should not think the pitcher yields a guaranteed victory.
No Matter Who Wins…
I am rooting for the Red Sox on Tuesday night. This is a Boston sports website, so this is an easy thing to understand. However, no matter who wins, tonight is a celebration of playoff baseball.
We did not have a packed Fenway Park last season for the greatest rivalry in sports, so enjoy the moment tonight. This is a matchup that will never get old, and I cannot wait to see the ballpark buzzing for Yankees vs Red Sox in a winner take all format.
Go Sox.
