NESN

Red-Sox Yankees Rivalry the Most Appealing to Boston Fans

Many sports fans nationwide believe Red Sox-Yankees is the best rivalry in the entire professional sports spectrum (as long as they’re not basketball fans in North Carolina).

Red Sox Nation believes it’s the best rivalry in the city, too.

Friday’s kgb Poll Question asked fans for their opinions on the best rivalry in Boston, and unsurprisingly, 65 percent of voters believe Red Sox-Yankees trumps all. Thirty-five percent were in favor of Bruins-Canadiens, while nobody voted for Celtics-Lakers.

Surely, fans are hoping that the Red Sox show a little more fight against the Yankees in 2010 — because after watching the pinstripes walk away with the world championship last season, they didn’t expect to see New York take three of the first four contests of this season. Phil Hughes trumped Josh Beckett‘s efforts on Friday night at Fenway, but hopefully Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester will have better luck.

Meanwhile, if the Bruins can advance past the Flyers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, they could face a matchup with their hated rivals, the Canadiens — a matchup that would work to Boston’s favor, giving it home-ice advantage as it works toward the Stanley Cup finals. Hard to imagine a No. 6 seed could enter the conference finals with home ice.

Perhaps the spirits of Celtics fans were too low after watching Boston get throttled by LeBron James and the Cavs at the Garden on Friday night — but all it will take is another strong performance out of Paul Pierce and Co. to restore faith in the Green.

So what’s your favorite? If yours is Red Sox-Yankees, text “SOX1″ to 542542, if yours is Bruins-Canadiens, text “SOX2″ to 542542 or if it’s Celtics-Lakers, text “SOX3″ to 542542.

Throughout the 2010 Red Sox season, NESN and kgb are teaming up to offer Red Sox fans poll questions during NESN’s pregame shows. Viewers of Olympia Sports presents The Boston Globe Red Sox Gameday Live are encouraged to text in their answer during the “NESN.com Question of the Day Powered by kgb” segment. Fans can text their answers to 542542. Votes are $0.99 each and standard message and data rates may apply.