N.Y. Yankees: Bronx Bombers Continue Befuddling Boston

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Yankees lead series 3-0

I - NYY 4; BOS 2

II - NYY 9; BOS 2

III - NYY 6; BOS 4

SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL

Boston Red Sox

vs.

New York Yankees

FROM

South Bronx Grounds

You can forget what happened last weekend at Fenway.  Look what the Yankees did to the Red Sox ... again!  That's three straight; a double-header sweep on Saturday; with one more game to play in front of a national TV audience this Sunday evening - ESPN broadcast scrubs withstanding.

GAME ONE: The Boston Meltdown

Everything is fine through the first three innings.  The Yanks and Sox trade runs on solo dingers by DJ LaMahieu and Andrew Benintendi respectively.  Then comes Boston's fourth inning meltdown. Both Chris Sale and manager Alex Cora are ejected for arguing balls and strikes but not before Sale surrenders eight earned runs on nine hits - including LaMahieu's second home run of the game - with no walks and four strikeouts en rout to his eleventh loss of the season against just five victories.  All told the Yanks get four RBI from LaMahieu, two each from Edwin Encarnacion and Brett Gardner, and one from Breyvic Valera.  Domingo German yields just two earned runs on five hits (two home runs) with no walks and seven strikeouts through seven innings pitched.  He improves to 14-2 on the season with a staff leading 3.98 ERA.  Jonathan Holder pitches two scoreless innings in relief of German with three strikeouts.

GAME TWO: Boone's Bullpen and Gleyber Torres Dingers

Boston establishes two separate leads in the game and fail to protect either.  And therein lies the narrative of Red Sox Nation's disappointing season.  The Yankees complete a sweep of Saturday's twin bill at the Stadium.  Boston meanwhile are now losers of seven in a row.  Aaron Boone opts to bullpen game two, employing seven different pitchers whom join together in yielding four runs on eight hits and eight walks with ten strikeouts.  Starter Chad Green is limited to the first inning.  Tommy Kahnle earns the victory for his scoreless effort in the seventh.  Aroldis Chapman earns his 29th save of the season.  Gleyber Torres hits two home runs giving him three for the series.  Cameron Maybin and Mike Tauchman getting the start in right each drive in a pair of runs.  Rafael Devers connects on his 22nd home run of the season in the third off Nestor Cortes Jr. pitching in relief of Green.

• Chris Sale reveals to reporters in between games the Red Sox held a team meeting.  The Red Sox now trail the Yankees by 13.5 games.  But with a 59-54 record Boston is just five games back of the second Wild Card with 49 games left to play.  
• At 71-39 the Yankees are more than 30 games above .500 and are just one of three MLB teams to reach the 70 win mark to date.

Red Sox Remind Bronx Bombers Who Defending Champs Are

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Red Sox Win Series 3-1

I - BOS 19; NYY 3

II - BOS 10; NYY 5

III - BOS 9; NYY 5

IV - NYY 9; BOS 6

If the defending champion Red Sox proved anything over the weekend, it is that they are alive and very well.  You might even call this most recent series a reverse Boston Massacre of forty-some years ago at Fenway Park.  Only this time it was the Red Sox inflicting the great majority of damage.  Make no mistake, underestimating or overlooking Boston at this stage would be folly considering they've closed to within one game of the second wild card spot.  It's been a slow climb but they're now eleven games over .500 and 10-7 since the break.

The Yankees did well in salvaging the series finale at Fenway Park on Sunday.  It was the least they could do after getting doubled-up by a 44-22 run disparity through four games.  In fact, this was exactly the kind of wake up call Bronx County needed.  Sure the Yankees still own a nine game lead over Boston, whom still must leapfrog the Rays.  But sometimes it can get pretty lonely and somewhat boring when you're alone at the top as the Yankees have been.  When the Red Sox were winning last year's division race they at least had the Yankees hot on their heels and keeping them on their toes.  Desperation was in the house on a nightly basis.  Not so with this year's Yankees, who have efficiently cruised this entire season.  Tampa posed an early threat, until the two teams met head-to-head, that is.

This week the Red Sox host a pivotal series against Tampa while the Yankees engage the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium.  After which August will have arrived.  The Yankees and Red Sox then usher in the dog days of summer with a four game series this upcoming weekend at Yankee Stadium.

After last weekend, the Red Sox now lead the American League in runs scored.  The Yankees are a close second.  The Yankees are second in home runs, while the Sox rate sixth.  However, the Sox are second in total bases and team OPS, while the Yankees rank fourth respectively.  The disparity in strikeouts is not as stark as last season.

On the mound however, the Red Sox are second in strikeouts while the Yankees are fifth.  The Yankees are sixth in team ERA and the Sox are a close seventh.  They're neck and neck in batting average against.  But the Yankees lead the league with 35 team saves which has been Boston's Achilles heal this season but are much improved of late.

The trade deadline will have come and gone by the time these teams meet again.  We'll see if either general manager makes any season altering transactions then.

Yankees and Red Sox Rivalry Invades London

THE RIVALRY

LONDON SERIES

Yankees win series 2-0

BOSTON RED SOX

vs.

NEW YORK YANKEES

FROM

Across the Pond

LONDON

A year ago today the Yankees and Red Sox open a three game series at Bronx County.  First place Boston arrives in town with a 55-27 (.671) record.  Their second place hosts own a 52-26 (.667) record.  The Bombers wind up winning two of three and take over first place by percentage points over the Red Sox.  But whereas Boston stays the course with a 53-27 (.662) record over their final 80 games the Yankees fail to keep pace posting a 48-36 (.571) record over their final 84 games.  The Red Sox clinch the A.L. East at Yankee Stadium and go on to register an MLB best 108-54 (.667) regular season record.  Despite hitting the century mark in wins (100-62) the Yankees must settle for one of two Wild Card berths.  Their one game playoff victory over the Oakland A's at Yankee Stadium sets the stage for an ALDS showdown against the Red Sox.  Boston goes on to befuddle the Yankees in four games, and for a second time within three weeks pop off champagne celebrations in the visitor's clubhouse at Yankee Stadium.  The Red Sox roll on, defeating the defending world champion Houston Astros for the American League pennant then taking out the Los Angeles Dodgers in five to clinch Boston's ninth championship in franchise history.

The Yankees enter this year's London Series in first place of the A.L. East with a 52-28 (.650) record, the same number of wins as last season but with two more losses.  Remarkably they've not only withstood a season long spate of injuries but have thrived to the extent of achieving a tie with the Minnesota Twins for most wins in the American League.  Miguel Andujar has not been apart of the season; they most recently lost Giancarlo Stanton again this time to a knee injury; and still remain without Luis Severino.  Aaron Judge only recently rejoined the line-up.  In the meantime, acquisitions DJ LeMahieu and Luke Voit are becoming stars before out very eyes.  Gleyber Torres is another.  The 22-year old has 19 home runs with 47 RBI in only his second season in the bigs.  This past Tuesday DJ LeMahieu and the Yankees break and set the MLB record for hitting a home run in the their 28th straight game.  With center field at London's facility reportedly only 385' away from home late (Olympic standards), there's a good chance this series devolves into a gas house gorillas skit.

The defending world champion Boston Red Sox enter London Series with a 44-38 (.537) record and in third place of the A.L. East, a distant nine games behind the Yankees.  This season, it appears the Red Sox will be the one sweating out a Wild Card berth while the Yankees run away with the division.  In that regard they must contend with the Tampa Rays, Cleveland Indians, and damn near the entire A.L. West save for Seattle.  Unlike the Yankees, the Red Sox Achilles heel has been their bullpen.  Out of 33 save opportunities, they've converted only 17 for a 51% rate of blown saves.  The Yankees on the other hand are saving 71% of their games.  And therein lies your difference from one season to the next.

True Story: I visited London back in 1989.  A waitress says to me, "Oh, you're from the colonies, are you?  I wanted to respond with something innocuous, but what came out of my mouth was far from that, "If by that you mean New Amsterdam, then, yes, I am."  To my fellow Americans crossing the pond, please behave won't ya!

NO ROUNDERS!

PLAY BALL!!

SATURDAY

Red Sox  13

Yankees  17

FINAL

In a game more resembling Batting Practice With the Stars, the Yankees outlast the Red Sox by an unsightly 17-13 final score requiring nearly five hours to decide.  Each team takes turns scoring six runs in the game's first inning alone.  With a total of 37 hits and 30 runs scored, Saturday's respective pitching performances leave much to be desired.  Parties of both sides are guilty as charged.  The feature match-up pitting Masahiro Tanaka against Rick Porcello never makes it out of the first as each are given the hook prior to recording a third out.  Perhaps we owe #UK fans an apology for treating them to such a poor exhibition of pitching.

The Yankees get home runs from Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, and Aaron Judge.  Boston matches them with one home run from Jackie Bradley Jr., and two off the bat of Michael Chavis.  DJ LeMahieu goes 4 for 6 with five runs batted in.  Didi Gregorius is 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI.  Yanks bat 9 for 18 with runners in scoring position.  Yankees are now 9-2 in their last ten trips.

With a 44-39 record Boston now trails the Yankees by ten games.

SCENES FROM LONDON STADIUM

Courtesy my cousin who made the trip.

SUNDAY

Yankees   12

Red Sox    8

FINAL

So what did we learn?  That pitchers need more time recovering from overseas flights?  It's my understanding when flying the body suffers dehydration.  Did pitchers need to better hydrate?  Is that it?  So much for Boston's $500,000 charter flight with all the fixings.  Let's face it, just about every pitcher from both the Yankees and Red Sox whom toed the rubber sucked.  The Yankees outscore the Red Sox by a 29-21 margin.  However Boston out-hits the Yankees 33-32 and hits six home runs to the Yankees four.  The common denominator is the roughly seven hour flight to London.  

Otherwise I have no idea ...

Congratulations London, England, and greater UK on your first ever major league baseball games.  Although the series lacked somewhat the more artistic aspects of pitching, sometimes a good old slug fest works just as well.  Thing about baseball is you never know what you're going to get.

Entering Monday night's action, the first place Yankees own a seven game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, and an 11 game lead over the defending champion Red Sox.  The Yankees 54-28 record presently tops the American League.  The Los Angeles Dodgers lead baseball with a 57-29 record.

N.Y. Yankees: Bombers Hanging Sox Out to Dry

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

YANKEES LEAD SEASON SERIES 4-0

I - NYY 8; BOS 0

II - NYY 5; BOS 3

III - NYY 4; BOS 1

IV - NYY 5; BOS 3

Look what the Bronx Back-Ups did to the Red Sox, again.

So far the biggest take-away from games one and two is how the Yankees have had their way against Boston's starters.  Despite striking out ten batters in Game One, the Yankees scored all four of their runs against Chris Sale whom saw his record fall to 1-7 on the season.  In Game Two, the Yankees knocked around Rick Porcello for all their five runs.  Otherwise the Yankees remain scoreless against the Red Sox bullpen, managing just three hits through 5.1 innings.

Tale of Two Lead-Off Hitters: 

• Mookie Betts is now 1 for 7 with two walks through games one and two.  Through 57 games this season, last year's A.L. MVP is slashing .286/.398/.473, with nine home runs, 27 RBI, and 45 runs scored.  
• DJ LeMahieu is 3 for 9, with a double, home run, and four runs batted in over the last two games.  In 52 games this season, he is slashing .314/.364/.456, with six home runs, 34 RBI, and 36 runs scored.

How Do You Like Me Now?

• Through 39 games and 148 at-bats, Gary Sanchez is slashing .264/.331/.655, with a league leading 18 home runs and 35 runs batted in.  His two run home run in the fifth inning of Saturday's game put the Yankees ahead for good.  
• As J.D. Martinez goes, so go the Sox.  He is just 1 for 8 with a walk over the last two games.  Reports say he has been battling a sore back for the last month or so.

With a 38-19 record, the first place Yankees lead the Tampa Bay Rays by 2.5 games.  Boston has fallen back to .500 after losing their fourth straight game, and now find themselves 9.5 games back of the Yankees.

SUNDAY

Red Sox   8

Yankees   5

FINAL

Like I said, as J.D. Martinez goes, so go the Sox.  

First inning home run off CC Sabathia; 2 for 5 on the night.

N.Y. Yankees: Here Come The Sawx

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Yankees lead season series 2-0

I - NYY 8; BOS 0

II - NYY 5; BOS 3

BOSTON RED SOX

vs.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Bronx County Grounds

THE RIVALRY: ROUND TWO

As of Memorial Day the Yankees were in first place boasting a 35-18 (.660) record with a two game lead over the second place Tampa Bay Rays.  Considering their spate of roster altering injuries, the manner in which the Yankees are achieving their present level of success continues being nothing short of remarkable, and remains the lead story of the A.L. East.

In April both teams limped into their first encounter of the season at Yankee Stadium.  Despite sweeping both games, all the Yankees (8-9) could do was close to within one game of par.  In the meantime Boston had fallen to 6-13 which of course was a far cry from their team record setting start of just one season ago.

The Yankees are 27-9 (.750) since that series.  Boston, likewise far from being injury free, seems to at least gotten over its World Series hangover having gone 23-12 (.657) over the same span, but still lag 6.5 games behind the Yankees as of Monday's holiday check point.

Offensively, these teams are running near neck and neck.

• YANKEES slashing .258/.336/.446; w/162 extra base hits; 26 stolen bases; 446 strikeouts; 280 runs scored minus 82 home runs = 198 net runs.

• RED SOX slashing .256/.339/.433; w/171 extra base hits; 33 stolen bases; 427 strikeouts; 277 runs scored minus 75 home runs = 202 net runs.

The Yankees are also second in the league in providing their pitchers with 5.38 runs of support.  The Red Sox are right behind offering their hurlers 5.23 runs of support.  That said, the Yankees own another marginal edge over the Red Sox.

• NYY: 3.82 ERA; 1.22 WHiP; .231 BAA; .707 OPS; 72 HR; 163 BB; 495 K; 3.04 K/W ratio
• BOS: 4.23 ERA; 1.24 WHiP; .232 BAA; .719 OPS; 69 HR; 174 BB; 519 K; 2.98 K/W ratio

It's the bullpen where the Yankees own a more distinct advantage.  The Red Sox biggest problem right now is their relief corp.  They're blowing 40% (8/20) of their opportunities.  Meanwhile the Yankees are converting 72% of their save opportunities.

N.Y. Yankees: The Red Sox Are Coming

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

THE RIVALRY RESUMES

BOSTON RED SOX

vs.

NEW YORK YANKEES

FROM

Bronx County Grounds

What a difference a year makes.  This time last season both the Red Sox and Yankees were getting off to sizzling hot starts en route to century mark campaigns.  Fast forward twelve months later, and each team is beset with more problems than a math book.  Both are playing below par; both have demonstrated an unwillingness to best the Orioles; meanwhile Yankees injuries and Red Sox money issues abound.

However, nothing will prove more troublesome for either team than the emerging Tampa Bay Rays.  They were a 90 win team last season which only earned them a third place finish behind the two aforementioned rivals.  For the moment, however, Tampa has turned the tables with an early division lead.

A.L. East

1) Rays         12-4

2) Orioles     7-10

3) Yankees     6-9

4) Red Sox    6-11

5) Blue Jays  5-11

It would have been unreasonable to expect the Red Sox pulling a repeat performance of last year's record setting 17-2 start.  At the same time, no one could have foreseen the crippling number of injuries presently befalling the Yankees.  As such, for very different reasons both teams enter this series on relatively equal footing; albeit unsure footing.  And quite frankly, a two game sweep of this series isn't going to help either team much ... at least not at the moment.

This much is true: the Red Sox are the defending World Champions.  The last time these teams met was last October at Yankee Stadium when for a second time within a matter of two weeks the Red Sox trashed the visiting clubhouse in a triumphant champagne super nova.

They still appear hungover.  

But ready or not, the rivalry resumes Tuesday evening at Yankee Stadium.

World Series Redux: Dodgers vs. Red Sox

From the desk of:  FINGERPRINTS OF DEM BUMS

2018 WORLD SERIES

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

vs.

BOSTON RED SOX

It's been 102-years since the Dodgers and Red Sox last met in baseball's Fall Classic.  Back in 1916 the Brooklyn club is known as the Robins (nicknamed after manager Wilbert Robinson), while the series itself is split between Ebbets Field and Boston's Braves Field - not Fenway Park - due to its greater seating capacity.

Charles Ebbets' now four year old partnership with brothers Stephen and Edward McKeever is paying off.  The influx of capital provided by them initially helps facilitate the completion and grand opening of Ebbets Field.  By 1916, additional investitures in talent return early dividends both on the field, and at the gate.  With a 94-60 (.610) record, the first place Robins finish 2.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies en route to claiming the organization's second ever National League pennant, and their first of the new century.  In return, a franchise record 447,747 fans spin the turnstiles in support of their club.

BROOKLYN ROBINS

1916 National League Champions

Brooklyn veteran, standout first baseman, and two-time batting champ Jake Daubert finishes second in the season hitting race with a .316 average.  Zack Wheat, now in his eighth year with the club, leads the team with nine home runs and 73 RBI, and moreover leads the National League with 32 doubles, a .461 slugging average, and 262 total bases.  In his fifth season with Brooklyn, a 25-year old Casey Stengel plays 127 games in right field, batting .279 with 27 doubles, eight triples, and 53 RBI, while finishing second behind Daubert with eight home runs.

However, Wilbert Robinson does not hold off the Phillies were it not for his pitching.  Brooklyn boasts three starters with ERAs under two, led by staff ace Jeff Pfeffer, who posts a 25-11 record with a 1.92 ERA through 328.2 innings pitched.  Larry Cheney goes 18-12 and mirrors Pfeffer's ERA.  A rejuvenated Rube Marquard pitching in his first full season for Brooklyn makes 21 starts/36 appearances, posting a 13-6 record with a fine 1.58 ERA through 205 innings pitched.

The Boston Red Sox own the distinction of being baseball's first ever World Series champion of the modern era, when in 1903 they defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first agreed upon playoff between the National and American leagues.  Just don't say that in front of John McGraw.  It offends him.  He dismisses outright Ban Johnson's upstart league, much less the 1903 series.  As luck would have it, the Red Sox wind up defeating McGraw's Giants in 1912, then go on to capture their third ever title in 1915 over the Philadelphia Athletics.  By 1916, the Red Sox set their sights on becoming the first ever major league team to achieve four World Series victories.

BOSTON RED SOX

Defending World Series Champions

Like the Robins, the first place Red Sox clinch the American League pennant with a 91-63 (.591) record, barely outlasting the Chicago White Sox by a two game margin - but not without a hint of apathy in the summer air.  To the dismay of Red Sox fans, the revered Tris Speaker is sold away to the Cleveland Indians.  This perhaps explains Boston fans' recoil at the gate, where in 1915 they lead the league in attendance then fall to third in 1916 despite fielding another championship caliber club.

In the meantime, a 21-year old southpaw pitcher named George "Babe" Ruth authors the finest season of his dominant, albeit brief five-plus year pitching career.  In 1916, George leads the league both with 40 starts and a 1.75 ERA.  He posts a 23-12 record with nine shutouts and a 4.7 K/9 average, while walking 118 batters and surrendering just 230 hits over 323.2 innings pitched for a 1.075 WHiP.  He is also the only major league pitcher to not surrender a home run all season.

In between starts, Ruth likes playing right field so as to get a few more at-bats.  The Red Sox oblige, but to mixed results.  In 136 regular season at-bats, Ruth slashes .272/.322/.419, with five doubles, three home runs, and 16 RBI.  Although he indeed, albeit strangely ties for the team lead in home runs, his future is clearly destined to play itself out on a pitcher's mound.  But that's not exactly a ringing endorsement of outfielders Tillie Walker or Duffy Lewis - Harry Hooper withstanding.

Ruth, however, is only scratching the surface.  The Red Sox are defending champions for a reason. Manager Bill Carrigan is prepared to throw any one of his five young superlative starters at Brooklyn, not to mention the spillover of quality pitching awaiting in his bullpen.  Second year Red Sox Carl Mays, and four year Sox pitchers Rube Foster and Dutch Leonard, along with Giants import Ernie Shore, and Sad Sam Jones and Herb Pennock waiting in the wings, all stand poised to turn back the 1916 National League challengers from Brooklyn.

GAME ONE @ BRAVES FIELD

ROBINS vs. RED SOX

Rube Marquard  vs.  Ernie Shore

FINAL

Robins     5

Red Sox   6

Two former New York Giants hurlers face off in Game One at Braves Field.  Ernie Shore toes the rubber for the Boston Red Sox, and is opposed by three-time 20-game winner Rube Marquard.

Boston strikes first with consecutive extra-base hits in the third inning.  With two outs, first baseman Dick Hoblitzell triples to right, then scores on left fielder Duffy Lewis' double to left.  But Brooklyn answers right back.  Casey Stengel singles leading off the fourth, then scampers home on Zack Wheat's triple to right.

Red Sox right fielder Harry Hooper doubles leading off the bottom of the fifth.  Hooper is successfully sacrificed over to third base, then is delivered home on center fielder Tillie Walker's base hit, giving Boston a 2-1 advantage.  The game goes awry for Brooklyn in the seventh.  Marquard surrenders a lead-off double to second baseman Hal Janvrin.  After which, two infield errors and good situational hitting on behalf of Boston result in a 1-5 Robins deficit.  In relief of Marquard, manager Wilbert Robinson calls upon staff ace Jeff Pfeffer to pitch the eighth.  However, Brooklyn's fourth error of the game leads to yet another tack-on run for Boston.  Brooklyn rallies off Ernie Shore for four runs in the top of the ninth.  But Red Sox manager Carrigan summons Carl Mays from the bullpen to halt Brooklyn's comeback bid one run short.

The Red Sox take Game One over Brooklyn by a 6-5 final at Braves Field, Boston.

Rube Marquard pitches seven innings in a losing effort, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and four walks, with six strikeouts.  Ernie Shore surrenders five runs (three earned) on nine hits and three walks, with five strikeouts through 8.2 innings for the win.  Carl Mays gets credit with a save.

GAME TWO @ BRAVES FIELD

ROBINS vs. RED SOX

Sherry Smith  vs.  Babe Ruth

FINAL

Robins    1

Red Sox  2

The Robins come out swinging against Boston starter Babe Ruth.  Leading off the game, Jimmy Johnston's fly to deep center eventually comes to rest 420-feet away from home plate in the patiently waiting hands of Red Sox Tillie Walker.  Keep this in mind: if at Ebbets Field, Johnston's blow carries up, out, and onto Bedford Avenue.  Thus, welcome to new Braves Field (opened August 1915), where there exists between home plate and the center field fence roughly 550-feet of playing surface.  In order to simulate such dimensions Brooklyn would need to close off Bedford Avenue and extend the center field fences to the north/east corner of Montgomery Street.

After first baseman Jake Daubert grounds out to third, Hi Myers squares up another Babe Ruth offering high, deep, and this time beyond the reach of Tillie Walker and right fielder Harry Hooper for an inside the park home run, and an early 1-0 Robins lead.

So begins Game Two of the 1916 World Series ...

Bostons evens the game in the bottom of the third.  Shortstop Everett Scott opens with a triple to the left/center field gap.  After which, Babe Ruth helps his own cause with a ground ball to second base, scoring Scott from third.

Things stay this way through the ninth, and into extra innings they go.  Neither starting pitcher yields to the bullpen.  Brooklyn's Sherry Smith and Boston's Babe Ruth duel pitch for pitch through 13 innings of play.  However, Smith breaks a cardinal rule in the bottom of the 14th inning by walking the lead-off batter.  Boston's Duffy Lewis successfully sacrifices Dick Hoblitzell to second, whom then scores the game winning run on pinch-hitter Dale Gainer's hit to left.

Babe Ruth pitches 14 full innings for the victory, surrendering just one earned run on six hits, three walks, and four strikeouts.  Sherry Smith surrenders two earned runs on seven hits and six walks, the last of which obviously comes back to haunt him.  He fans two batters through 13.2 innings in a hard-luck losing effort.

GAME THREE @ EBBETS FIELD

RED SOX vs. ROBINS

Carl Mays vs. Jack Coombs

FINAL

Red Sox  3

Robins    4

Four-year old Ebbets Field hosts its first ever World Series game.  However, thousands of seats go unsold as Charles Ebbets scandalously raises ticket prices to five dollars.  The backlash is severe as a mere 21,087 spectators - nearly 9,000 shy of capacity - witness their Robins hold on to win Game Three by a slim 4-3 margin.

The Brooks jump out to an early lead when Jack Daubert scores on second baseman George Cutshaw's two-out base hit to right.  Brooklyn starting pitcher Jack Coombs helps his own cause with a base hit in the fifth which plates shortstop Ivy Olson for a 2-0 lead.  Olson then drives in two more runs in the sixth with a triple to right.

Undeterred, runs batted in by Boston's Harry Hooper and center fielder Chick Shorten in the top of the sixth cut Brooklyn's lead by half.  The Red Sox then close to within one run on third baseman Larry Gardner's seventh inning home run.  That inspires Wilbert Robinson into making a pitching change.  Jack Coombs exits on the winning side of a 4-3 game, after allowing three earned runs on seven hits and just one walk through 6.1 innings pitched.  Just as Brooklyn's manager had done in Game One, Robinson turns to his staff ace Jeff Pfeffer for relief, whom tosses 2.2 scoreless innings of no-hit ball with three strikeouts.

Boston starter Carl Mays in a losing effort surrenders four earned runs on seven hits and three walks through five innings.  Rube Foster follows with three scoreless innings in relief of Mays.

Game Four @ Ebbets Field

RED SOX vs. ROBINS

Dutch Leonard vs. Rube Marquard

FINAL

Red Sox   6

Robins     2

Despite the Robins victory in Game Three, Brooklyn's backlash at the gate continues for a second straight game as nearly a third of all seats again go unsold.  Due to hiked-up ticket prices, just under 22,000 spectators witness the Robins fall behind in the series three games to one.

For a third straight game, Brooklyn jumps out to an early lead.  Facing Boston's Dutch Leonard,  Jimmy Johnston leading off the home first inning triples to the right/center field gap.  Hi Myers follows with an RBI single to right, and shortly thereafter scores when Red Sox Hal Janvrin mishandles George Cutshaw's ground ball to second.

However, Boston quickly turns the tables on Brooklyn starter Rube Marquard and the Robins.  Dick Hoblitzell draws a walk leading off the second.  Duffy Lewis then doubles to right.  Next up, Larry Gardner strikes a fly to deep left/center for an inside the park home run - his second of the series - giving the Red Sox a 3-2 lead.  Boston adds to their lead in the fourth on catcher Bill Carrigan's base hit, and again in the fifth on a run scoring double by Hoblitzell, whom later caps off the scoring with another run scoring hit in the seventh.

Dutch Leonard goes the distance for Boston, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and four walks, with three strikeouts.  Rube Marquard lasts just four innings in a losing effort, allowing four earned runs on five hits and two walks, with three strikeouts.  Larry Cheney and Nap Rucker join to pitch the final five innings.

Game Five @ Braves Field

ROBINS vs. RED SOX

Jeff Pfeffer vs. Ernie Shore

FINAL

Robins     1

Red Sox   4

Boston's Ernie Shore makes his second start of the series.  He is opposed by Brooklyn ace Jeff Pfeffer, whom makes his first and only start of the series, as Coach Robinson prefers instead utilizing Pfeffer out of the bullpen in games One and Three.

The Robins take a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, when George Cutshaw scores from third on a passed ball charged to Red Sox catcher Hick Cady.  The lead is short lived as Boston answers in the bottom half of the frame.  With one out, Duffy Lewis strokes a triple to left, then scores on Larry Gardner's sac-fly.

In the bottom of the third, two errors by Robins shortstop Ivy Olson lead to a pair of unearned runs, and a 1-3 Brooklyn deficit.  Hal Janvrin's run scoring double in the fifth then extends Boston's lead to three.

Ernie Shore takes care of the rest.  The Red Sox starter pitches a nine inning gem, allowing just one unearned run on three hits and one walk, with four strikeouts for the series clinching victory.  Jeff Pfeffer takes the loss after allowing four runs (two earned ) through seven innings on six hits and two walks, with two strikeouts.

The 43,620 fans in attendance at Braves Field witness the Boston Red Sox clinch their second of back-to-back championships, and their fourth World Series title overall - the most of any club since 1903.

Plaque at site of Braves Field

2018

WORLD SERIES
Boston Red Sox defeat Los Angeles Dodgers

Baseball Reference

N.Y. Yankees: The Curse of Bucky F. Dent

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Red Sox win ALDS 3-1

I - BOS 5; NYY 4

II - NYY 6; BOS 2

III - BOS 16; NYY 1

IV - BOS 4; NYY 3

New York Yankees: The Curse of Bucky Effin Dent?

• Date: Monday, Oct. 2, 1978.
• Setting: Late afternoon, Fenway Park, Boston.
• Condition: Yankees and Red Sox finish the season tied necessitating regular season game #163 in order to decide the A.L. East title.  The winner moves on to the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals.

The Red Sox take an early lead on Carl Yastrzemski's second inning home off Ron Guidry.  Jim Rice drives home a run with a hit in the sixth giving Boston a 2-0 lead.  Mike Torrez pitches six scoreless innings, but with two outs in the seventh, he surrenders consecutive base hits to Chris Chambliss and Roy White.  Into the batter's box steps shortstop Bucky Dent.  He is 0 for 2 on the day with a fly to right and a pop-up to short.  Dent takes Torrez' first offering for a ball, then fouls the second pitch off his left foot.  The game is delayed as Dent receives attention from trainer Gene Monahan.  Dent also switches bats, then finally steps back in.  With the count at one ball and one strike, Mike Torrez delivers a fastball square over the plate ...

Here is Yankees WPIX announcer Bill White's call:

"Deep to left ... Yastrzemski will not get - It's a home run!  A three run home run for Bucky Dent!  And the Yankees now lead it 3-2!  Bucky Dent has just hit his fifth home run of the year, into the screen!  And look at that Yankees bench, led by Bob Lemon."

Catcher Thurman Munson shortly thereafter doubles home the Yankees fourth run of the inning.  However, it is Reggie Jackson's eighth inning home run to straight away center field which proves most pivotal, as Yastrzemski and Fred Lynn help the Red Sox rally for two runs off Goose Gossage in the bottom half of the frame, but no more.  Gossage closes out Boston in the ninth, and the Yankees clinch the A.L. East title.  They go on to defeat the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS, then for a second successive World Series defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That historic one-game playoff takes place forty years ago.  Twenty-six years later the Yankees invite Bucky Dent to throw a ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium during the 2004 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.  We all know what happens next.  The Curse of the Bambino if finally and forever broken.  Fourteen years later, the Yankees again invite Bucky Dent to throw out the first pitch prior to the start of Game Four of this year's ALDS. 

I have a saying: Once is an occurrence; twice is a coincidence; three times is a trend.

Just saying ...

Now for the ALDS that was.

Dave Dombrowski is a highly regarded executive.  He develops a reputation towards the latter part of his tenure with Detroit for spending like a drunken sailor and receives criticism for leaving the Tigers in a state of financial crisis.  When in truth he operates according to the mission statement handed him by Mike Illich during the late great owner's latter years of life.  But there's also a case to be made for Dombrowski's continuing fiscal folly with the Red Sox.  Releasing Edgar Renteria ($$$) is merely one example that hardly scratches the surface.  However, owner John Henry appears copacetic with the state of his economy, and his team.

Once the Red Sox are eliminated by the Astros in last season's ALDS, Dombrowski fires manager John Farrell with haste and immediately requests permission to speak with and ultimately interview Houston's bench coach Alex Cora while the Astros are still in the midst of their post-season run.

With regards to modern analytics, the Red Sox recognize its value and embrace baseball's newest evolutionary mutation with three arms.  Like most managers these days, Alex Cora is handed reams of information.  Dombrowski, however, leaves its application in Cora's hands to manage as he sees fit, or deems necessary.

Unlike Dombrowski who very early set his sights on Alex Cora, Brian Cashman informs Joe Girardi his contract will not be renewed, but then remains strangely idle.  Meanwhile, other available, and (to varying degrees) desirable candidates begin finding employment elsewhere.  Aaron Boone's name is presented to Brian Cashman as a late, unexpected, and obviously inexperienced candidate.  But the two are far from being strangers.  According to most reports Boone overwhelms the Yankees general manager and is hired on the spot.  I would argue, though, Aaron Boone isn't signed until December - two months after the World Series ends - when the market for managers had already thinned considerably.

Unlike Alex Cora, Aaron Boone is beholden to a far more restrictive operating procedure.  Brian Cashman is addicted to analytics, and has on numerous occasions appeared on sports radio making no bones about it: he wants his manager(s) adhering with strict compliance to information provided by the front office's expansive analytics department.  For both Joe Girardi and Aaron Boone, deviation was/is not an option.

Despite a most disappointing outcome I still believe this is one of general manager Brian Cashman's finest seasons on record, if not his best.  He put one dynasty to bed, and is in the process of potentially building another.  He's done everything a fan base could ask for: revitalizing the farm system; graduating new major league talent and legitimate stars; making subtle and well received transactions; following through with off-season maneuvering; and procuring reinforcements by the trade-deadline.  Then there are his boss' requirements.  Cashman not only satisfies Hal Steinbrenner's desire for being under the salary tax threshold, but has the Yankees supremely positioned to spend big money again on free agency.

All that being said, the manner in which this team sets their on field priorities and go about the game of baseball - losing this year's ALDS included - fall on the general manager for what I believe is his flawed application of analytics driven baseball.  Additionally, by parting ways with Joe Girardi and his ilk, Cashman shifts away (IMO) from demanding player accountability.

Cashman once mandated that Joe Girardi follow a script set forth by his Ivy League info squad, and presently demands Aaron Boone follows suit.  Outside of Boone being more affable with players and the media, there is no philosophical difference to speak of from one manager to the next.  There's no change with regard to in-game approach.  In fact, what's new is actually old.  I would argue Yankee analytics are just a 21st century cover of Earl Weaver's school of thought: reliance on strong pitching and three run home runs.  Problem is, the Yankees in the ALDS got neither.  Thus, in this results driven business Aaron Boone fails to elevate last year's band of overachievers to the next level.  Despite a 100-win season, they effectively take one step backwards.

Aside from Masahiro Tanaka, the trio of J.A. Happ, Luis Severino, and C.C. Sabathia all struggle mightily.  Boone, however, appears unprepared to negotiate three early exits.  Thus his failure to act in a timely manner ultimately contributes rather considerably in all three Yankees losses.  There's something to be said for all-hands-on-deck.  In Monday's Game Three at Yankees Stadium, Mookie Betts hit Luis Severino's very first offering of the game 405 feet to straight away center.  The bullpen should have began stirring right then.  After all, the Yankees main strength in both quality and depth is their bullpen.  Instead, Boone plays right into Alex Cora's hands.

Otherwise, a general lack of execution should be blamed on players.  After all, Aaron Boone is just doing what he's told.

Alex Cora brings his bench coaching experience and a share of Houston's World Series winning sensibilities to Boston where one of his first acts is to let his new team know just how bad they've been, and exactly what they're going to do in order to change it.  He inaugurates sweeping changes to the extent both Houston and Boston rank top two in most key statistical categories.  Under Cora, the Red Sox win a franchise record 108 games.  He stresses throughout each and every game to play aggressively.  The ALDS proves no less differently.  Many of his positional moves are in conflict with analytical directives.  Not to mention he twice gambles with Rick Porcello and Chris Sale in relief.  And there's the rub.  Alex Cora abandons the book and goes for the kill.  If Chris Sale blows Game Four, he loses him for a decisive Game Five.  Rick Pocello is scheduled to pitch Game Three.  Instead, he becomes one of the heroes of Game One.  His relief appearance necessitates Nathan Eovaldi pitching Game Three, who winds up tossing a gem.  And that's how Alex Cora circumvents his precarious bullpen bridge to Craig Kimbrel.

From bench coach and friends to being opponents and adversaries, Alex Cora now faces A.J.Hinch; Grasshopper versus Sensei.

N.Y. Yankees: Bronx Bummer Leave Bombers on Brink

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Red Sox lead series 2-1

I - BOS 5; NYY 4

II - NYY 6; BOS 2

III - BOS 16; NYY 1

GAME THREE

RED SOX   16

YANKEES    1

FINAL

Boston Red Sox Hand Bronx Bombers Worst Defeat in Franchise Post-Season History.

Featured prominently across the front of Boston's warm-up jersey reads their post-season mantra: Do Damage.  Monday at Yankee Stadium the Red Sox do just that, handing the Bronx Bombers their worst post-season defeat in their 115-year history, and pushing them to the brink of elimination.

Already lost upon Bomber fans' collective memory is Gary Sanchez becoming the first Yankee catcher to hit multiple home runs in one playoff game, or that Aaron Judge becomes the first Yankee since Reggie Jackson to homer in three consecutive playoff games.  With one more loss in this ALDS, all fans will remember is a 100-win regular season spiraling counter-clockwise down the toilet; rookie manager Aaron Boone's failure to get out of the first round a year after Joe Girardi leads them within one game of the World Series; and something a little closer to their heart, getting eliminated yet again by the rival Red Sox in their own yard.  Nothing short of two straight victories changes that narrative now.

This much, however, for the moment remains true as ever: the Yankees live and die by the home run.  Through two Yankees losses, they total just one home run - an Aaron Judge blast in the ninth inning of Game One.  In their Game Two victory, Judge hit his second of the series, and Gary Sanchez adds two.  From a Red Sox perspective, they trade home runs in Game One, and win; get out homered in Game Two and lose; then hit one home run versus zero for the Yankees in Game Three, and win.

Boston had already scored 14 runs on 17 hits before Brock Holt's two-run jolt in the ninth.  As an aside, he becomes MLB's first player to hit for the cycle in a post-season game.  Cycling back, the Yankees have hit four home runs versus Boston's three, but the Red Sox have now out-hit the Yankees 31-23, and outscored them 23-11, through three games of the ALDS.

Luis Severino's very first offering of the game clocked in at 95-mph.  Leading off for Boston, Mookie Betts hits said pitch 405 feet away to the base of the center field wall for a very long out.  After which, the route is on.  Severino faces 18 batters through three innings, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and two walks, with two strikeouts.  The Yankees bullpen (Austin Romine aside) allows eight more runs on ten hits and five walks, with just two strikeouts.

In a tale of two acquisitions, the Yankees acquire J.A. Happ, who through his career has pitched very effectively against the Red Sox.  In Game One, Boston knocks him out of the box after just two innings upon allowing five earned runs on four hits and a walk.  In turn, the Red Sox acquire Nathan Eovaldi, a one-time Yankee, whom likewise has a reputation for pitching well against his former club.  In Game Three at Yankee Stadium, Eovaldi pitches a gem, allowing just one earned run on five hits, no walks, with five strikeouts, through seven full innings pitched.  In the seventh he pops the radar gun at 100-mph.

With another victory on Tuesday, the Red Sox clinch a trip to the ALCS, but not before making a complete mess of the visiting locker room at Yankee Stadium for a second time this season.  If you're the Yankees, there's all the motivation you need.

Game Four features C.C. Sabathia versus Rick Porcello.

Sabathia last pitched twelve days ago against Tampa, in which he pitches five scoreless innings of one hit ball, with no walks and five strikeouts before being ejected.  Sabathia is afforded a similar break coming out of the all-star break, when he goes two full weeks between starts.  Upon his return, he allows two earned runs on six hits and two walks, with eight strikeouts against Kansas City.  Over his last five starts, however, C.C. has allowed 13 earned runs over 21.2 innings pitched for a 5.51 ERA.

In Rick Porcello's last start against the Yankees on Aug. 3, he tosses a one-hit complete game victory at Yankee Stadium.  Porcello's last appearance against the Yankees comes in relief, when he records two game critical outs on 15 pitches in the eighth inning of Game One at Fenway.

Should the Yankees win, another match-up between J.A. Happ and Chris Sale awaits in Game Five.

N.Y. Yankess: The Price is Right

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Series tied 1-1

I - BOS 5; NYY 4

II - NYY 6; BOS 2

AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

GAME TWO

YANKEES  6

RED SOX   2

FINAL

New York Yankees: Look what the Bronx Bombers did to David Price, again!

Beware!  Aaron Judge is slipping.  

Judge homered in last Wednesday's Wild Card game against Oakland on only Liam Hendriks' ninth pitch of the game.  On Friday, Judge homered again, but not till the ninth inning on Craig Kimbrel's ninth offering upon entering Game One of the ALDS at Fenway Park.  In Game Two, however, Aaron Judge didn't homer until David Price's tenth offering of the game.  

All kidding aside, Aaron went 5 for 9 through two ALDS games at Fenway Park with two home runs, two RBI, two runs scored, a walk, and just as importantly, only one strikeout.  Now the Yankees return to Judge's Bronx County court where he undoubtedly plays his best ball.  With an equal 56 games played at home and on the road, he struck out 87 times on the road but only 65 times at home.  When wielding his bat in the confines of Yankee Stadium, Aaron slashes .352/.471/.699/1.170, with 18 of 27 home runs and 45 of 67 regular season RBI.

And don't look now, but here comes Gary Sanchez.  In Game Two, he and Aaron Judges join to hit somewhere in the neighborhood of 12,000 feet worth of home runs.  Judge's first inning tater was measured at 445 feet.  Gary Sanchez homer in the third clanged off the light fixtures above the Green Monster, while his second home run of the game sailed up and over Fenway's walls, and onto on Landsdowne Street some 479 feet away.

This game actually marks the first time David Price faces the Yankees in a post-season game.  After Saturday's failed effort, Price is now 2-9 in 18 playoff appearances (ten starts) with a 5.28 ERA, according to Baseball Reference.  Price previously faces the Yankees four times during the regular season, and is downright terrible.  He makes starts in April, July, August, and September in which he totals 15.2 innings pitched for an average of just 3.2 innings per start.  He faces 79 total batters, allowing 16 earned runs on 21 hits (including nine home runs) for a 9.47 ERA, with seven walks and just 12 strikeouts.

I don't know how to say "clutch" in Japanese, but as a Yankee Masahiro Tanaka has been just that.  He surrenders just a run on three hits and a walk, with four strikeouts in earning Saturday's victory over the Red Sox.  In five career post-season starts for the Yankees, Tanaka is now 3-2 with a minuscule 1.50 ERA through 30 innings pitched, while surrendering just 17 hits for a 5.1 H/9 average, and seven walks for a 1.8 W/9 average, resulting in a stellar 0.800 WHiP.

The Yankees bullpen accounts for another four innings, allowing just one earned run on two hits (off Dellin Betances), with two walks and two strikeouts.  Through two games, they've allowed just one run through 10 innings for a 0.90 ERA, on just six hits, four walks, and seven strikeouts.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox bullpen is enduring a heavy tax.  In Game two, they call upon five more relievers whom render 7.1 innings pitched, allowing three runs on five hits and five walks, with seven strikeouts.  Through two games, they've allowed five earned runs through 9.1 innings pitched for a 4.94 ERA, on 10 hits, eight walks, with nine strikeouts.  

Boston pitchers throw 165 pitches in Game Two, and have thrown 347 overall.  The Yankees throw 133 pitches in Game Two, and just 260 overall.  That's been paying small dividends, to date.  With more pitches to chose from, they've out-hit the Red Sox through two games by an 18-13 margin, and own the edge in home runs, four against two.  The Yankees limited their strikeouts to just seven in Game Two, and there's no coincidence they win.  After striking out 13 times in Game One, they lose by one.

N.Y. Yankees: Chris Sale Silences Bombers and Critics

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

GAME ONE

YANKEES   4

RED SOX    5

FINAL

New York Yankees: Move to bring in Rick Porcello saves the day.

Chris Sale is arm weary; Chris Sale is fading; Chris Sale is just not a good second-half pitcher.  All these maladies are based in truth.  Sale's history as a starter says so.  He indeed suffered shoulder inflammation this season.  To what extent, we don't know.  But his regular season speaks for itself.  After making 18 starts from March/April through June, he is limited to just nine starts from July through September.  His velocity goes from upwards of 98-mph in the first half, down to the low 90's by September.

However, Alex Cora continually downplays Sale's condition throughout the second-half.  As I wrote yesterday, no one person understands his own team better than Cora - Dave Dombrowski included. He put both the Red Sox and Yankees through a comprehensive audit last season while serving as bench coach with the Houston Astros.  Last year's post-season experience makes him a veritable treasure trove of information with unique insight into his own club, the Yankees, and the defending champion Astros.

For as long as the Red Sox maintain a somewhat commanding regular season lead over the Yankees, Cora is afforded an opportunity to utilize Chris Sale sparingly, and massage him back into the post-season rotation.  Friday against the Yankees, Aaron Sale is charged with two earned runs on five hits through 5.1 innings pitched, with eight strikeouts for the victory.  He tops out at 96-mph.

The Red Sox lead the Yankees 5-0 through the fifth.  With two on and one out in the sixth, Cora removes Sale.  That's when the fun stops.  Boston's bullpen goes on to surrender four earned runs (two charged to Sale) on five hits and three walks.  Despite their overall inefficiencies, Cora's move to bring in Rick Porcello proves brilliant.  Utilizing him on his throw day, Cora gets fifteen pitches and two important outs from his Game Three starter.

Aaron Judge's home run off Craig Kimbrel leading off the ninth cuts the Red Sox lead down to one.  But Kimbrel regroups to strike out the next three Yankee batters and complete a four out save.

So much for J.A. Happ's career success against the Red Sox - the very reason why Brian Cashman acquired him in the first place.  Happ surrenders a three-run home run to J.D. Martinez in the first inning, and is removed before recording an out in the third.  For the record, Happ allows five runs on four hits and a walk over two innings pitched for the loss.

Giancarlo Stanton goes 1 for 5 with four strikeouts.  The bottom four of the line-up (Didi Gregorius, Miguel Andujar, Gary Sanchez, Glayber Torres) go 2 for 13 with four strikeouts.  Yankee batters total 13 strikeouts for the game; the Red Sox fan seven times (three by Ian Kinsler).  On that note, the Yankees leave ten runners on base, and go just 1 for 7 with RiSP.  The Red Sox are 3 for 6 with RiSP, and leave just six runners on base.

Yet, the Yankees out-hit the Red Sox by a 10-8 margin, and more importantly make Boston pitchers throw 182 pitches, versus just 127 pitches thrown by the Yankees.  They were able to piece together three runs before Aaron Judge's blast in the ninth, which is important for a team that generally lives and dies with the long ball.  Meanwhile, Judge appears healthy as ever, going 3 for 5 with an RBI and run scored.

The Yankees bullpen throws six scoreless innings of four-hit ball, issuing just two walks and fanning five.  Although called upon to pitch more innings than anticipated, Sunday is an off day as the series shifts to Bronx.  For the moment, Aaron Boone should be able to absorb the tax.

Overall, the margin of difference in this game proves very slim.

The move bringing in Rick Porcello to pitch the eighth saves the day.

But make no mistake, the Yankees can easily escape Boston with a split.  Masahiro Tanaka faces off against Yankees pinata David Price in Game Two, Saturday night at Fenway Park.

N.Y. Yankees: Into The Fire They Go

From the desk of:  BLAME CARLOS MAY

AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES

NEW YORK YANKEES

vs.

BOSTON RED SOX

FROM

Fenway Park

BILLY MARTIN vs. DON ZIMMER

JOE TORRE vs. TERRY FRANCONA

AARON BOONE vs. ALEX CORA

This ALDS is as much about these two first-year managers as anyone else.  The respective general managers clearly made off-season moves with the other in mind.  That said, each field manager knows it's out the frying pan and into the fire they go knowing full well a brutal post-series narrative awaits should either of them fall.

Entering the 2017 season, the Yankees are considered still in the midst of rebuilding and upgrading their overall minor league talent.  However, patience and pragmatism pay early dividends.  To the surprise of many, Joe Girardi's new Bombers finish the regular season in second place behind Boston.  Their 91-71 record earns them a Wild Card berth and the right to host Minnesota in the one game playoff.  The Yankees defeat the Twins despite an ineffective start by Luis Severino.

In the ALDS, the Indians win games One and Two, but the Yankees storm back with victories in games Three and Four at the Stadium, then seize the clincher at Cleveland.  After which, they face the Houston Astros in the ALCS and come within one game of reaching the World Series.  It is the Astros who advance, and go on to win their first World Series championship in franchise history.

During the ensuing off-season Brian Cashman decides a change of manager is in order, and informs Joe Girardi his expiring contract will not be renewed.  To the astonishment of many, Cashman hires Aaron Boone, whom has no previous coaching or managerial experience on his resume.

A segment of fans would argue throughout the regular season how certain players get away with things once deemed unacceptable by former manager Joe Girardi.  While visiting Boston back in April, I listen with great amusement as local sports radio accuse the Yankees of (paraphrasing) playing asleep and that Aaron Boone has no pulse.  Truth be told, for much of the regular season the Yankees do little in my opinion to change that narrative.  Yet, Aaron Boone leads his team to its first 100-win season since 2009 - which not coincidentally is the same year Girardi leads the Yankees to their last World Series championship.  This is their fifth 100-win season of the new century.  But once again, the only thing coming between the Yankees and the A.L. East title is the Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox clinch last year's A.L. East with a 93-69 record, but fall to the Astros in the ALDS.  Boston in turn fires manager John Farrell, and replaces him with first time manager Alex Cora - who in 2007 played for and won a World Series championship with the Red Sox.  Unlike Boone who is tasked with elevating last year's overachieving Yankees to the next level, Cora is charged with leading last year's underachieving Red Sox up the same summit.

Aaron Boone is in the broadcast booth last season when the Yankees ultimately bow to Houston.  Alex Cora on the other hand is A.J. Hinch's right hand man in the Astros dugout.  Having thoroughly scouted both Boston and New York during last year's playoffs, Cora accepts the Red Sox job with an incalculable amount of information on all three clubs.  Knowing his club's weaknesses perhaps better than his own general manager, the Red Sox this season under Alex Cora go on to post the most victories (108) in franchise history.

The Yankees meanwhile set the MLB record for home runs, and in their 163rd game of the season show everyone they're wide awake, and quite well.  Like Alex Cora, Aaron Boone was born into a baseball family.  His pulse is in rhythm with the game.  It's just that up until and through Wednesday's Wild Card game against the A's, he never let you see him sweat.