The New York Yankees are headed to another series this 2023 Major League season, but facing their archrivals Boston Red Sox won’t be just any duel, or “just another series.” In fact, the baseball world is always paying attention to this matchup, regardless of the state of the two franchises in the standings.
The Boston Red Sox opened the doors to Fenway Park to the Bronx Bombers with a two-game lead over their longtime rivals. Both teams still have a mathematical chance to reach the playoffs, although the outlook seems complicated, for “Patirrojos” and the Yankees.
Pitchers taking the mound for the locals are Kutter Crawford (6-7, 4.36 average, with 107 strikeouts in 107.1 innings), Nick Pivetta (9-8, 4.54 ERA with 150 strikeouts) and Tanner Houck (4). -9, with 5.28 earned runs and 80 hits).
They all have experience against the Yankees in their careers. The one who faced them the most time was Pivetta, who pitched 42.1 innings in 12 appearances, but still hit freely for the Bombers with a 7.23 earned run average.
Something interesting is that Crawford, with four earned runs in 19 innings, and Houck, who showed a 2.39 ERA in 37.2 innings of work, were very effective against the Bronx troop.
On behalf of the Yankee pitchers, Clarke Schmidt (9-8, 4.54 average, with 139 bags in 29 games) was announced today, who showed a good performance beyond his basic numbers, starting because in 12 of his 28 starts, the right-hander allowed two or fewer runs in five or more innings of work.
In his career against Boston, Schmidt pitched seven games, worked 22.1 innings and posted a 4.03 ERA.
For Tuesday, the Yankees designated the Cuban-American left-hander Carlos Rodón, who this time, in addition to making his debut as a Bomber almost three months after the start, in the 10 games he started , his record was 2-5, with 6.60 clean sheets per game, with 46.1 innings pitched and 41 strikeouts.
However, Rodón in his internship with the Majors pitched well against Boston with a 3.60 ERA in 30 innings, although he only won one game against three losses.
On Wednesday, the Yankees did not announce a pitcher and I don’t think it would be a surprise if they use an opener or use Michael King again in any role.
Gleyber Torres on the hitter side was one of the best against the Boston Red Sox. The Venezuelan has a line of .285/.352/.490 with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs (leader among active Bombers players). Among active players on the roster, Aaron Judge is the Yankee with the most complete hits against the Red Sox with 23, although he averaged .242 in his lifetime.
Rafael “Carita” Devers is undoubtedly the man to watch for local ‘hitting, with 23 homers and 61 RBIs in his career against the Yankees. Also a hitter like Justin Turner has done well with a .333 batting average in 102 at-bats and, for his part, Alex Verdugo this season has an average of .325 and has five home runs in his four years facing the Bombers.
A series is about to begin that could put the Yankees out of last place or bury them. Two opponents that regardless of their win and loss record, when they face each other, the show is guaranteed and will arrive at the right time to stir up more reactions and determine the fate of these two historic franchises.
