Historically, the rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees is arguably the most classic in MLB history. The two clubs have always been linked and they will probably be until the end of time.
It’s a bit like the CH and the Bruins or the Maple Leafs, for example: it’s been so long that there will always be a link between the two.
That said, in recent years, we feel that the rivalry is diminishing a little between the two teams. There were times, sure, but Yankees fans mostly came to hate the Astros and Blue Jays, while the slightly tougher seasons in Boston didn’t help.
There was the end of the 2021 season (Giancarlo Stanton’s big home run and the Red Sox victory in the playoff game), but otherwise, we agree that it’s quiet.
And that’s why I tend to agree with Alex Cora, who said yesterday that in his eyes, the rivalry between the two teams sometimes takes too much of a spotlight.
This is the second weekend in a row that the two teams meet for a three-game series. And both last Sunday and this Sunday, they are on the bill for the Sunday evening match.
Cora finds (with good reason) that it’s a little disrespectful for the other teams on the circuit. After all, we’re not talking about two titans: the Yankees are third in the division while the Red Sox are dead last (in a tight race, however).
Nestor Cortes Jr. abounded a bit in the same direction last week: the rivalry may be historic, it is still not at the level of that which opposes the Yankees to the Jays and the Rays for a few years. The Astros also fall into this category.
That said, the simple historical factor of the rivalry means that I don’t expect that to change anytime soon. We know that it still attracts large crowds and it still has a certain cachet.
Let’s hope instead that the two weekend games between the two clubs will be more thrilling than the 15-5 thaw the Red Sox inflicted on their rivals yesterday. Clarke Schmidt and Brayan Bello will be on the hill this evening for the meeting, scheduled for 7:15 p.m. (if the rain does not spoil the party).
