Forget the hype about the Yankees’ power. A rival scout told FanSided that the Red Sox are built to upset New York in October. The team is sitting in the second Wild Card spot and heading for a showdown. They just lowered their magic number to three after beating the Rangers 4-3. This isn’t just hope. It’s a plan.
The Lefty Advantage in the Bronx
The scout sees a specific weakness in the Yankees that Boston can exploit. “The Red Sox are a really tough matchup for the Yankees with their left-handed pitching depth, especially if (Garrett) Crochet returns as a bullpen arm,” the scout said. The Yankees hit lefty heavy. Boston has a stack of impact lefties ready to go. Ranger Suarez, Jake Bennett, and Payton Tolle are just a few names on the list. Aroldis Chapman and Erik Miller add more heat. If Crochet comes back from his shoulder injury, the bullpen gets even scarier. That depth changes the game plan for the Wild Card round.
Boston has already won six of their last ten matchups against New York. They turned a terrible 32-46 start into a playoff push. The tiebreaker might be with New York after a 7-6 season series, but the Red Sox are playing better baseball right now. They don’t need the tiebreaker if they can neutralize the Yankees’ top hitters. The scouting report says they have the arms to do just that.
Rafaela and the Rays Problem
The path doesn’t end at the Yankees. If Boston advances, they face the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. The Rays have the best record in the AL at 93-59. They are hot, but they have a history of fading when it matters most. “Their pitching is loaded and their bullpen is special,” the scout said of the Red Sox. When Rafaela returns from the IL, he significantly improves the offense despite its existing holes. Rafaela has been out since September 3 with a quad strain, but he should be back for the postseason. His speed and defense will help a team that needs to fix its lineup holes.
The Rays haven’t won a playoff series since 2020. That is a long time to wait for fans who travel to the games. “The Rays have not won a playoff series since 2020 and concerns remain whether their immense regular season success can translate to an October with fans in the stands,” the scout said. Tropicana Field is tough, but the Rays struggle to fill it. Boston is 45-33 on the road this season. They know how to win away from Fenway. The Red Sox just need to keep their bats warm and trust their pitchers.
