MLB Series of the Week: New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox

From Fenway Park in Boston, one of North American sports’ biggest rivalries will add a new chapter as the Yankees and Red Sox meet for the third time in 2024 from Friday to Sunday.

The Yankees are looking to keep pace with the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East division race, while the Red Sox are in a dogfight with the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins for the last two wild-card spots in the American League.

New York Yankees (60-42, second in the AL East)

The Yankees wrapped up a four-game home series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, which they split and are now 14-21 over their last 35 games.

Outfielders Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, two of the league’s frontrunners for MVP, are the only two healthy Yankee hitters with at least 90 at-bats and a .750 OPS.

Among the struggling Yankee hitters are shortstop Anthony Volpe, only 12 for his last 70 at-bats, and outfielder Alex Verdugo, just 11 for his previous 72.

Rookie first baseman Ben Rice has shown some promise, as he hit three home runs against the Red Sox on July 6, but he’s just 10 for his last 57.

The falloff of the Yankees’ starting pitching has been a big reason they’ve struggled lately, as they have the fifth-highest earned run average in the majors in their last 35 games.

Carlos Rodón has given up 30 earned runs in seven starts beginning with five earned runs in five innings against the Red Sox on June 15 after giving up only 26 in his first 14 starts of the season.

Nestor Cortes has given up nine earned runs in 8 ⅔ innings in his last two starts, both against the Rays and has lost four straight decisions, though he gave up only one earned run in six innings against the Red Sox on July 5.

In the bullpen, All-Star closer Clay Holmes is tied for the major league lead with six blown saves, but Luke Weaver has been a surprise in his first full season with the Yankees, as has Michael Tonkin.

The Yankees will host the second half of this season’s Subway Series against the New York Mets, playing them on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to Boston.

Boston Red Sox (53-45, third in the AL East)

The Red Sox fought valiantly in Los Angeles against the Dodgers over the weekend, leading in at least the eighth inning in the first two games, but were swept in the three-game set.

After two losing seasons, the Red Sox have been the second-best team in the league, going 24-16 since June 1, behind only the Houston Astros.

A big reason for Boston’s improvement has been the breakout of outfielder Jarren Duran, who made the All-Star team for the first time in 2024.

Duran has played every game for the Red Sox this season and leads the league with 30 doubles, leads the majors with 10 triples and ranks fourth in the majors with 5.6 WAR.

Third baseman Rafael Devers hit two home runs in the Red Sox’s most recent game against the Yankees on July 7, which made him the only player in Red Sox history to record three multi-homer games against the Yankees at 27 years old or younger.

On the mound, Tanner Houck ranks fourth in the majors with a 2.54 ERA but only went 3 ⅓ innings against the Yankees on July 5.

Kutter Crawford did not give up a run in seven innings against the Yankees on July 7, while Brayan Bello gave up four earned runs in 4 ⅔ innings against the Yankees on June 14.

In the bullpen, closer Kenley Jansen gave up his first two home runs of 2024 against the Dodgers but will be refreshed for the Yankees series after throwing a combined 45 pitches in his last two appearances.

Jansen will not be in Denver when the Red Sox play three games against the Colorado Rockies from Monday to Wednesday because of the city’s high altitude, which has given him some issues in the past due to a heart condition.

Boston leads the season series against the Yankees 4-2.

Projected Starters (per ESPN)

Game 1 (July 26, 7:10 p.m. EST): LHP Nestor Cortes (4-9, 3.99 ERA) vs. RHP Brayan Bello (10-5, 5.27 ERA)

Game 2 (July 27, 7:15 p.m., FOX): RHP Marcus Stroman (7-5, 3.51) vs. RHP Kutter Crawford (6-8, 3.37)

Game 3 (July 28, 7:00 p.m., ESPN): LHP Carlos Rodón (10-7, 4.42) vs. RHP Tanner Houck (8-6, 2.54)

All stats and records are as of before the evening games on July 22, 2024.

Owen Klein is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ojk5092@psu.edu.