The hated New York Yankees are coming to Fenway Park this week, and for the Boston Red Sox, it's a series with surprisingly big stakes for April.
Already trailing the Yankees by four games in the division, the Red Sox could either re-establish themselves as playoff threats or put themselves in a huge hole if a sweep happens either way. Either side winning two of three probably won't swing the entire season, but a series win would still help Boston build some momentum.
How can they secure that series win? We're glad you asked. Here are the three most important keys for the Red Sox to handle this week.
1. Control the rivalry emotions
There usually seems to be a war of words between these two sides, and this year, Yankees righty Cam Schlittler has been the most controversial figure. Schlittler reported that Red Sox fans were sending him death threats on social media earlier this week, and after shutting down the Red Sox to send them home in the playoffs last October, he'll be the Thursday starter at Fenway.
Red Sox fans are going to react how they want to react, but the team can't buy into any narratives that this is anything more than a big series to win between the white lines. Alex Cora's club typically keeps from coming unglued when the Yankees are in the opposite dugout, but now would be a bad time to get sucked into any of the off-field drama.
2. Neutralize Ben Rice
It's pretty rare that a Yankees series begins without Aaron Judge as the No. 1 threat on the opposing offense, and perhaps he still is. But Ben Rice has been not only the Yankees' best hitter so far this year; he's been the best in Major League Baseball with a 1.276 OPS.
Will the Yanks start Rice against both Boston lefties, Connelly Early and Ranger Suárez? If they don't, the Sox will still have to worry about Paul Goldschmidt at first base, but if they do, they'll have to work as hard as possible to ensure whatever platoon advantage still exists with the lefty slugger is preserved.
3. Beat up on Yankees' reeling bullpen
Obviously, the Red Sox would like to have success against Yankees starters Luis Gil, Max Fried, and Schlittler. But if they can't, they'll be right in the game late as long as the Yankees haven't run up the score.
The Yankees are 6-for-11 in save opportunities to this point. Only the Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Washington Nationals, and Toronto Blue Jays have blown more saves to this point. And out of all the Yankees' typical high and medium-leverage relievers, only lefty Tim Hill has an ERA under four and a WHIP below 1.5. There are going to be opportunities to pounce.