Boston swept the Yankees at Fenway Park and you’d think it was October instead of April. You’d think that three games in April would be put into better perspective and that no one on either side of the rivalry would fly off the handle. After all, these teams will play eachother 15 more times this season. But when it comes to Yankees-Red Sox – and especially when ESPN is involved – there’s just no point in expecting anything less than mass hysteria and myopia befitting Mr. Magoo.
Let’s shed some light on this Yankee-Red Sox thing:
Fact Set A
April 23, 2005: Red Sox (10-8, 2nd place) / Yankees (7-11, 5th place)
April 23, 2006: Red Sox (12-7, 1st place) / Yankees (9-8, 3rd place)
April 23, 2007: Red Sox (12-5, 1st place) / Yankees (8-9, 3rd place)
Fact Set B
2007 Red Sox opponents’ record: 44-59 (.427) 474 runs scored, 514 runs allowed
2007 Yankees opponents’ record: 58-46 (.558) 492 runs scored, 458 runs allowed
What I’m driving at with Fact Set A is that it’s WAY too early to hand the Red Sox the division title. The Yanks have been one of the best second-half teams in baseball the past two seasons whereas Boston’s been one of the best first-half teams in baseball over the same time period. As for Fact Set B, it’s merely to point out that the Yanks have played better teams overall in 2007 and that when they get a chance to fatten up on the Royals and Mariners, I expect they’ll gain some ground on Boston. After all, Boston pitched the top of their rotation against two rookies who are subbing in for injured starters in the Yanks’ rotation. And the Yanks were without Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, and Jorge Posada. Given the fact that the Yanks lost three games by a combined four runs, it’s hard for me to feel like Boston’s head and shoulders above New York. The Yanks will get healthy and crush Boston like they do every year.
Oh, and two final notes. Before everyone rushes to give Josh Beckett or Daisuke Matsuzaka the Cy Young Award, please note that when they finally faced a major league lineup full of patient hitters they both got bombed. Matsuzaka, especially, got a beating to the tune of six earned runs in seven innings. Yes, he struck out seven, but he also gave up three extra-base hits. He’s a good pitcher but I definitely enjoyed watching the Yanks take professional AB’s out there. Oh, and he’s a head-hunter. If Torre had any balls at all, one of the Yanks would’ve sailed a fastball at Manny just to put the Red Sox on notice.
Let’s shed some light on this Yankee-Red Sox thing:
Fact Set A
April 23, 2005: Red Sox (10-8, 2nd place) / Yankees (7-11, 5th place)
April 23, 2006: Red Sox (12-7, 1st place) / Yankees (9-8, 3rd place)
April 23, 2007: Red Sox (12-5, 1st place) / Yankees (8-9, 3rd place)
Fact Set B
2007 Red Sox opponents’ record: 44-59 (.427) 474 runs scored, 514 runs allowed
2007 Yankees opponents’ record: 58-46 (.558) 492 runs scored, 458 runs allowed
What I’m driving at with Fact Set A is that it’s WAY too early to hand the Red Sox the division title. The Yanks have been one of the best second-half teams in baseball the past two seasons whereas Boston’s been one of the best first-half teams in baseball over the same time period. As for Fact Set B, it’s merely to point out that the Yanks have played better teams overall in 2007 and that when they get a chance to fatten up on the Royals and Mariners, I expect they’ll gain some ground on Boston. After all, Boston pitched the top of their rotation against two rookies who are subbing in for injured starters in the Yanks’ rotation. And the Yanks were without Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, and Jorge Posada. Given the fact that the Yanks lost three games by a combined four runs, it’s hard for me to feel like Boston’s head and shoulders above New York. The Yanks will get healthy and crush Boston like they do every year.
Oh, and two final notes. Before everyone rushes to give Josh Beckett or Daisuke Matsuzaka the Cy Young Award, please note that when they finally faced a major league lineup full of patient hitters they both got bombed. Matsuzaka, especially, got a beating to the tune of six earned runs in seven innings. Yes, he struck out seven, but he also gave up three extra-base hits. He’s a good pitcher but I definitely enjoyed watching the Yanks take professional AB’s out there. Oh, and he’s a head-hunter. If Torre had any balls at all, one of the Yanks would’ve sailed a fastball at Manny just to put the Red Sox on notice.
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