1949. 1978. 2003. 2004.
And, now, 2021.
For the fifth time, the Red Sox and Yankees will play one game that determines which team keeps playing and which team goes home.
In 1949, the Red Sox needed one win in their season ending two-game set in Yankee Stadium to win the American League pennant. It was not to be for Ted Williams, as the Yankees won both games on their way to a World Series championship.
29 years later, the Yankees came to Fenway Park for a one-game tiebreaker to determine the A.L. East championship and a trip to the ALCS. Once again, it was the Yankees who emerged victorious, on their way to another World Series title, as Russell Earl "Bucky" Dent added a "F'n" to his middle name.
The 2003 and 2004 ALCS both came down to a Game Seven in New York. The Yankees took it home in 2003, as current Yankee manager Aaron Boone added a "F'n" to his name. A year later, with your favorite author in attendance, the Red Sox wrapped up their historic comeback from a 3-0 series deficit to capture the pennant on the way to their first World Series championship since 1918.
So, here we are, ready and hopeful for another October classic between two old rivals.
After a childhood that always had the phrase "Wait for next year" ingrained in my head, the Red Sox of 2004 and Beyond have made Boston fans into believers. World Series titles in 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018 created a sense of optimism in the Red Sox that many could not have imagined as recently as 2003. The run to their most recent championship included a 3-1 series victory over the Yankees in the ALDS.
Will tonight extend Boston's recent run of success or will the Yankees reclaim their historic dominance?
I am taking the Yankees, for reasons I will get into below.
***
There is an interesting name not on the Red Sox roster for tonight's game.
J.D. Martinez will not be available, as he is apparently still hurting due to an ankle sprain suffered on the last day of the regular season when he tripped over second base on his way to play right field.
Not having Martinez available as a pinch hitter makes no sense. In a winner take all game, even a gimpy Martinez should be ready and waiting to take a late game at-bat if needed. My reasoning for liking the Yankees tonight is because I expect a close game and not having Martinez on the bench takes away a critical late game option for manager Alex Cora.
Beyond starter Nathan Eovaldi, the Red Sox kept eleven pitchers on the roster for tonight. Several of them are capable of providing multiple innings. I think the option of even a single Martinez at-bat is better than the chance of Garrett Richards seeing the mound tonight, but maybe his ankle is too sore to take the field.
I envision a late game scenario in which the Red Sox have runners in scoring position and need a clutch hit to take the lead, but Cora will not have Martinez to turn too and the rally will flounder and the Yankees will live to play another day.
***
If the red hot St. Louis Cardinals manage to defeat the 106-win Dodgers, will MLB adjust its current playoff format to ensure the top three teams in each league get a first round bye?
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While off the radar of the Wild Card games, the news leaking that the Mets plan to discuss a front office position comes as no surprise.
Epstein was the architect of the 2004 and 2007 Red Sox championship teams before moving on to build the Cubs team that won the World Series in 2016.
The Mets have been a disaster the past few years but have enough pieces in place to make them attractive enough to Epstein for him to take the challenge of bringing a World Series to Queens for the first time since 1986.
***
And now for the playoff picks.
A.L. Wild Card
Yankees over Red Sox
N.L. Wild Card
Dodgers over Cardinals
ALDS
Yankees over Rays
Astros over White Sox
NLDS
Giants over Dodgers
Brewers over Braves
ALCS
Yankees over Astros
NLCS
Giants over Brewers
World Series
Giants over Yankees (MVP: Mike Yastrzemski)
***
Enjoy Eovaldi v. Cole tonight.
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