Red Sox-Yankees: What scares you, who is going to win, and what dumb thing will Yankees fans do?

What scares you concerning the Yankees?

The chance that they discover out that Jose Caballero is a significantly better shortstop than Anthony Volpe.

The truth that the Yankees have seen Garrett Crochet 4 occasions already this season. In these matchups, Crochet has had two meh begins (largely because of the horrendous Boston protection within the first half of the season), and two Crochet-esque begins, however simply the truth that they’ve seen his stuff a lot already is a bit troubling for me.

However to be truthful, his xFIP in opposition to the Yankees this 12 months is sort of a run and a half decrease than his precise FIP, so maybe my issues will go.

That Aaron Decide thinks it’s nonetheless the common season.
— Bob Osgood

Their ballpark’s quick porch in proper subject. They’ve a lineup designed to make the most of it and the Pink Sox don’t.
— Matt Gross

The one man who could be very massive and generally good. Generally he breaks his toes.

If Decide lastly will get going within the postseason.

The prospect that the Yankees rotation clears sufficient to make life hell on the Pink Sox lineup.

Ben Rice. Whereas it could be unusual to be petrified of a catcher, he’s already received 4 dwelling runs in opposition to the Pink Sox in his profession, even when three got here in the identical sport, to go together with 11 RBIs. Plus, his “Yankees fan who grew up in Massachusetts” archetype is already so drained. He could be managing this Yankees team in two decades or so with one clutch hit on this collection.

What scares you concerning the Pink Sox?

The center reduction. I do know Alex Cora will get loopy within the postseason, however I’m fearful about what occurs if Zack Kelly or Greg Weissert discover themselves in a giant spot.

The fixed males they’ve been leaving on base. There aren’t any extra make-up video games. Each scoring probability must be capitalized on to maneuver ahead, and seeing a number of bases-loaded alternatives squandered prior to now weeks just isn’t a an superior signal.

Jake says excessive LOB numbers, however I elevate you: No offense in any respect. There have been too many video games since Anthony’s harm the place the offense hasn’t carried out effectively or gotten greater than 2-3 runs. In opposition to the Yankees, we’re very probably going to want greater than 2-3 runs per sport.

The shortage of thump within the lineup. The one factor the Yankees did higher than any workforce in baseball was rating runs and hit dwelling runs. In the event that they put a crooked quantity on the board early, I concern that this Sox lineup, particularly with out Roman Anthony, is a bat or two quick to catch up.

Persevering with the theme from the primary query and on Bob’s level above, the Pink Sox should not have an apparent candidate to place the the concern of God into Yankee pitching from the left-handed batter’s field. For years, they’d David Ortiz on this position. Then, the torch was handed to Rafael Devers, and now, it looks as if it’s been handed Roman Anthony provided that he hit one of the crucial declarative common season dwelling runs I’ve even seen in his first ever journey to Yankee Stadium again in August.

However now, the Pink Sox is not going to have that man on this collection, and it places them at a big drawback within the collection given the ballpark’s dimensions.
— Matt Gross

Beginning pitching after Garrett Crochet.

Our offense may be so anemic generally! Whether or not it by no means will get going, or waits till late within the sport after which runs out of time…this may maintain me up at night time.

Is it unhealthy to say it’s Aroldis Chapman pitching within the postseason at Yankee Stadium? I’m going to say it’s Aroldis Chapman pitching within the postseason at Yankee Stadium.

Whoever is beginning sport three, ought to it come to that. I’m not fearful about Bello since his ERA is beneath 2 in opposition to the Yankees (small pattern measurement, however justified.) However Early/Harrison/insert starter right here in opposition to the up-and-coming Cam Schlittler (a Massachusetts native who did NOT develop up a Yankees fan) will probably be a nail-biter irrespective of who it’s.

What’s one factor you actually wish to see occur?

One other Devin Williams postseason implosion could be nice. I don’t assume it is going to occur, however it might be humorous to see. Particularly as a result of he’ll be signing with the Pink Sox this winter (bookmark this).

The Pink Sox taking the early lead. Seeing Garrett Crochet eat in Toronto final week with a 3 run lead was scrumptious. It’s much more crucial for Bello and whoever will get the bump in a possible Recreation 3 to have some buffer.

The return of Playoff Decide. The Yankees wish to observe his lead, so if he falters, they very effectively might too.

Foolish baserunning, shaky protection, and poor managing failing the Yankees once more. We noticed it within the playoffs final 12 months, we noticed it in quite a few video games in opposition to the Pink Sox through the common season (with the Sox going 9-4 head-to-head), and it’ll result in their demise sooner or later in these ‘25 playoffs.

For the Pink Sox to not simply win, however win huge and win fast. The workforce’s fortunes this October will journey closely on their skill to make use of the workers’s prime finish pitching within the rotation (Crochet and Bello) and within the bullpen (Whitlock and Chapman) to smother opponents early. The playoff format is designed in order that the early a part of October is affected by off days for groups who advance shortly, and if the Pink Sox can then make the most of this with their robust top-end pitching proper out of the shoot, they then would have the ability to relaxation their arms, flip all the pieces round, and do it once more with out ever displaying the weaker a part of their workers to an opponent till deep within the ALCS. That is the system to make a deep run!

A Jarren Duran steal of dwelling.

I’d like to see all (or most) of our offense click on on the identical time. We’ve gotten used to seeing a number of gamers slumping without delay however I wish to see us run the board like I do know we are able to.

I have to see a Brayan Bello dominant playoff begin in opposition to the Yankees on the street greater than I would like air to breathe. I would like Pedro Martinez to name him earlier than he takes the bump, pump him up, remind him that he’s really the Yankees’ daddy, and encourage pure greatness from him. Additionally, I would like the entire above to be recorded and performed after Boston possibly wins the collection (that’s probably the most optimism you’ll get from me).

What Avery mentioned. Bello dealing in Recreation 2 could be superb and an exclamation level on an enormous season of development for him.

Who would be the MVP of the collection?

Garrett Crochet. He’s most likely the man who can come closest to successful a sport on his personal.

Aroldis Chapman. All season, the Cuban Missile has been nothing wanting dominant. In an in depth sport late, I’d belief him with my life this season in opposition to Decide, Stanton and Bellinger.

Masataka Yoshida. I’m placing $8 billion on it. I’m solely half-joking, however I’ll let you determine which half is the joke.

Alex Bregman. He’s performed 99 playoff video games, 17 of these are in opposition to the Yankees. He received’t be intimidated by the second.

I’m hoping it’s Garrett Crochet as a result of if it’s not, there’s a great probability it’s a Yankee.

Rob Refsnyder. The primary two video games are in opposition to lefties. It’s his time to shine.

I’m critical once I say that the performances of Rob Refsnyder and Masataka Yoshida mixed might resolve this collection for Boston. That being mentioned, I think about future #MyManager Rob Ref and Yoshida appeared like the one folks remotely occupied with going to the postseason earlier than Ceddanne Rafaela’s walk-off final Friday.

I’m feeling Trevor Story having an enormous collection. I might have known as myself completely nuts had I mentioned this 5 months in the past.

Which non-star may have a Dave Roberts/Brock Holt/Steve Pearce second and what’s going to that second be?

Connor Wong will hit his first dwelling run of the season, assuming he continues to catch Brayan Bello in sport two.

Nate Eaton—between his pace and penchant for contact hitting, he’s going to do one thing that rattles the Yankees simply sufficient to maintain issues fascinating and turn out to be a cult hero.

I’d actually say Ceddanne Rafaela, although he’s had his share of Star Moments/Large Influence Moments this season. Given how he’d been faring offensively within the second half, I believe he’s warming up once more, and I believe he’s gonna love the playoff ambiance a lot that he makes a giant splash, whether or not that’s getting a giant homer within the prime of the ninth or a go-ahead hit at another level.

Rob Refsnyder. He’s received Fried in Recreation One and Rodon in Recreation Two, and he’s received a .302/.399/.560 slash line vs LHP with a 159 wRC+ in 2025. .281/.383/.443 with a 129 wRC+ vs LHP in his profession. Refsnyder will presumably be on the market and hitting in an necessary lineup slot.

I’ll go together with Masataka Yoshida merely for his skill to take a giant situational at-bat and have success. (See the last World Baseball Classic.) My hope is he hits an necessary dwelling run over the quick porch in proper subject and turns into “that man” for a day.

Romy Gonzalez. A bases-clearing double in Recreation 2 off a lefty that offers the Sox a lead they don’t give up.

Ceddanne Rafaela. He’s proven a penchant for large moments on the plate, particularly within the later innings. Mix that along with his protection and his pace, and I believe he would possibly placed on an actual present. I’m counting him as a “non-star” as a result of he’s nonetheless flying surprisingly (to me) beneath the radar outdoors of Pink Sox Nation—however I believe that begins to alter with this postseason.

Name me loopy, however Nathaniel Lowe has been right here earlier than with the Rangers of their World Sequence-winning season. And I foresee a really strategic plate look that ends in a stroll or a bases-clearing double being a key second within the collection. Perhaps he’ll corral a few of Trevor Story’s throws at first too, idk.

I’m agreeing with Carlucci on the Romy prediction right here. As mentioned earlier, I additionally assume it’s very believable Ben Rice may have a Boone second.

What dumb factor will Yankee followers do?

Loudly boo the Pink Sox and get put of their place not less than as soon as on this collection. Even when they’ve the final chortle, they’re going to get brash and bitten for it.

Say, “We would like Boston” in the event that they win Recreation 1, solely to recollect they need to by no means need Boston in Video games 2 and three.

Throw a drink on a key participant’s spouse like they did at Bethpage Black over the weekend? Simply, the worst.

Get into it with Jarren Duran within the worst methods attainable.

Throw sufficient trash on the sector that there’s a delay of sport.

No matter it’s, we’ll have a look at one another and collectively say, “You may’t make this shit up.”

They someway look goofy simply displaying as much as a sport. So, I believe that ought to do it.

What’s your prediction for the collection?

2-0 Sox. Huh, you don’t even give the Yankees an opportunity? It’s not that the Yankees received’t make this a aggressive collection; they’ll at each flip. What this collection goes to return right down to is competency in two main methods. The Yankees play boneheaded baseball. They get saved most of the time however after they make errors, they’re expensive. Each in-game resolution goes to require the utmost competence as effectively. I wouldn’t belief Aaron Boone so far as I might throw him to make the correct decisions in a troublesome spot. I do belief Alex Cora. These are the X-factors and if the Pink Sox take Recreation 1, I see it unraveling in Recreation 2.

Man, I dunno. I wanna be optimistic however I’m additionally scared. It’s my first time being this invested in a Sox postseason since 2013!! I’ll say 2-1 Sox, and we take Recreation 1, someway drop Recreation 2 as a result of the offense doesn’t give Bello run assist, and miraculously take Recreation 3 even with out Giolito.

For some cause, 10 of the 12 collection have been 2-0 sweeps since MLB switched to the three-game format. And because the Pink Sox are going to win: 2-0 Pink Sox.

I believe it goes 2-0 both approach and all will depend on Garrett Crochet. If he shuts down the Yankees for a win the Pink Sox take the Wild Card. If he doesn’t, Yankees roll over the sleepy Sox.

2-1 Sox. If it’s 2-0, I actually received’t complain.

I’m with Mike on this one. I can genuinely see it going both approach. BUT as a regretfully unfavorable fan usually, I believe it’s excellent news that I see a approach out for the Sox on this collection. With that being mentioned, I believe Boston squeezes one out 2-1. Dropping Lucas Giolito genuinely isn’t that huge of a blow to Boston (sorry), although the considered having a rookie or Kyle Harrison on the mound for sport three actually isn’t comforting. And if the offense can present up prefer it did within the August collection in opposition to the Yankees and never the September one, they will get away with some inconsistencies.

I’m contrarian as at all times so I’ll go 2-1 Yankees after a dominant Recreation 1 Crochet look, but when the Yankees do advance, I can’t see any approach the Yankees break this 15-year streak of no World Sequence THIS season. However I certain hope I’m improper. The Pink Sox really feel particular this 12 months, so in the event that they make it previous the Yankees, who is aware of what occurs?

My head says a matchup on the street in opposition to powerful lefties is strictly the kind of matchup that spells hassle for the Pink Sox. However then my coronary heart says that the Yankees suck. After which my head is like “oh yeah, the Yankees do suck, how might I neglect about that?“ 2-0 Sox.