The Yankees have a chance this weekend to officially end any hopes the Red Sox have of being AL East champions. Sitting 6 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the standings, the Red Sox were unable to pick up a single game over their last 10 despite posting a 7-3 record.
After getting off to an 8-0 start against the Yankees, the Red Sox flopped in the Bronx and greatly hurt their chances of winning the division. Now with the Bombers back in Fenway for the first time since June and for the last time this season, the Red Sox have one final attempt at home to get back in the race for the East.
However, time is against them with just over 40 games left in the season, and the Yankees are not showing any signs of slowing down. The Yankees have never lost a division lead this large in their history, and their .628 winning percentage strongly suggests they won't this season either.
Around the tristate area, it is known that a series win over the weekend in Boston will officially mean baseball in October, and for those who aren't aware, the media is making sure they are.
The back pages in New York screamed "Box the Sox," "Finish 'Em" and "Closing Time" on Friday with the Yankees on the brink of coasting to the postseason.
The Yankees have two pitching matchups in their favor and their 14-game winner going against Boston 14-game winner on Sunday night. On paper, the Yankees have a very good chance at turning the table and stopping the Red Sox' home cooking.
But the Red Sox shouldn't be concerned about catching the Yankees – they should be concerned with their own problems.
Each of the first four series between these teams resulted in a sweep, and a sweep either way this weekend will drastically change the postseason layout over the final six weeks of the season.
It seems like the Red Sox are worried about the Rangers and Rays and the wild card instead of the Yankees, as they should be given their current deficit.
The Yankees enter the weekend series at Fenway with house money, knowing that a single win in the three-game set will mean they leave Boston in great position with just 38 games remaining after Sunday.
