Yankees, Red Sox Rivalry Heating Up Before London Series

The Yankees most recent series victory against the Red Sox means they have now won nine straight series. They proudly stand atop the AL East standings by 2 ½ games over the Tampa Bay Rays, a remarkable feat when you consider the fact that the Yankees have many superstars on the Injured List. The Red Sox are now 8 ½ games back.

Yankee sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are alongside ace Luis Severino, still on the Injured List that seems to be growing at an unfair rate in comparison to other teams. One player gets reinstated and the baseball gods decide another injury should befall someone healthy. Or, if you’re Miguel Andújar, you get reinstated and then are promptly placed on the 60-day list a few days later.

But the “Triple-A Yankees” have demonstrated a remarkable ability to bounce back in the face of adversity. Starting third baseman Gio Urshela is slashing .329/.390/.482. Thairo Estrada appears to make the most of every chance he’s given to put on a Yankees uniform, currently maintaining a .304 average. Hell, even Kendrys Morales has been joining in the fun recently. During his team’s second game 5-3 victory, the 35-year-old hit three singles after a 2-for-32 slump.

For the most part this series, the Pinstripes looked to be in control. A postponed first game due to inclement weather didn’t rain on J.A Happ’s parade the next day. The 26-year-old gave up only one run in the form of a Rafael Devers homer. He lasted five innings before the trusty bullpen took over. DJ LeMahieu continued to do what DJ LeMahieu does best – which is pretty much everything – taking a base hit away from Núñez before sending an RBI double between Betts and Bradley Jr. He wasn’t done there. The three-time Gold Glove recipient later launched a solo home run off Sale to make it 4-1 Yankees. Gary Sanchez would also deny Núñez, his snap throw to Gleyber Torres at second base resulted in a perfect pick off to end the top of the fifth.

Gary Sanchez was the star of the second game for the Yankees. His 18^th home run of the season, a number that matches his 2018 total, was a two-run homer into the stands off Porcello, culminating in a 5-3 victory.

Going into the third game, the Yankees were on a high. They reinstated CC Sabathia after knee inflammation had placed him on the 10-day IL. On a night when David Price retired the first 10 batters he faced, the veteran left-hander gave up two solo home runs, but recorded eight strikeouts in six innings. Luis Cessa replaced him in the seventh, giving up three singles that pushed the score to 6-2 in favor of the Red Sox. Clint Frazier again struggled in right field, with the loss of Aaron Judge felt as the 24-year-old Frazier made three mistakes that night.

After winning the series against the Red Sox, the Yankees will face their rivals again this month – but this time, across the pond. The London Series is a two-game event at London Stadium from the 29^th to the 30^th of June. Old rivalry, new ground.