AL Wild Card game preview

*Photo from Yahoo!

*Photo from Yanks go Yard*

   This is gonna be a really fun game. The rivalry is being renewed in the playoffs. For only the second time since that famous 2004 comeback, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are squaring off in the playoffs. For the first time since 2004, it's a winner take all game. AL Wild card, Red Sox vs Yankees, at Fenway park, it doesn't get much better than this. 

   Let's first take a look at the hosts of this game, the Red Sox. It's very surprising that they're here, not because they had aspirations of a division title and homefield throughout entering the season, they weren't even supposed to be in the playoff conversation at all. Yet, they surged to a 92-70 record and they're back into the playoffs for the first time since they won the title in 2018.

   The pitching has been the biggest part of the Red Sox renaissance. Sure, Garrett Richards and Martin Perez had their season long struggles, but others have picked up their slack. Nathan Eovaldi has become a de facto ace of the rotation, Eduardo Rodriguez has bounced back after missing last season due to Myocarditis. Nick Pivetta has been pitching better since he left Philadelphia. Youngster Tanner Houck has been throwing heat both out of the rotation and in the bullpen. And of course, Chris Sale has returned after two years out due to Tommy John surgery, and he hasn't missed a beat either. 

   The bullpen has had it's ups and downs, but when it's clicking, they become a force to be reckoned with. Garrett Whitlock, a rule 5 pick taken from these Yankees, has become a force in the Boston bullpen. Lefties Josh Taylor and Darwinzon Hernandez have gone back to their solid 2019 form. Deadline acquisition Hansel Robles has largely overcome struggles to be a reliable secondary closer. Adam Ottavino has also had a bounce back season, seemingly rediscovering consistency for most of the year. Matt Barnes has struggled lately, but if he's on, Boston has another dominant option at closer.

   The offense is also a big part of the success too, don't get that twisted. They have had some trouble scoring runs lately, but you still can't take a lineup of Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, JD Martinez, Kyle Schwarber, Hunter Renfroe, and more lightly. Bobby Dalbec's late season power surge is just another weapon in that lineup, plus the contributions of Kike Hernandez and Alex Verdugo. By the way, don't run on their outfield either, they lead baseball in outfield assists, particularly Renfroe.

   Now, let's talk about their opponents, the Yankees. It was supposed to be a season full of world series hopes, with the chance of maybe taking down the Los Angeles Dodgers in the world series, after they were supposed to run away with the AL East in July. Well, that didn't exactly happen. They also enter the wild card game with a 92-70 record, but they have to go on the road because the Red Sox won the season series.

   The starting pitching can still do very well. Gerrit Cole is the de facto wild card game starter and ace of the team, who, despite being shelled in some recent outings, is the guy the Yankees want on the mound in a game like this. When he's not on the IL, Jameson Taillon has been a very reliable mid rotation option for the pinstripes. Nestor Cortes has had a breakout season to play himself into the rotation, and Jordan Montgomery has returned to past form this season as well, despite getting no run support. Corey Kluber also sits in the back of the rotation as well, performing decently.

   The bullpen for the Yankees has been very hot and cold throughout the season. Domingo German sits in the pen after failing to win a rotation spot, and Luis Severino has returned from Tommy John surgery as well, but is also in the bullpen. Lefty relievers Wandy Peralta and Joely Rodriguez have played big roles for the team, as has Lucas Luetge with his nice comeback story. Jonathan Loaisiga and Chad Green have become reliable in setup roles, with Aroldis Chapman still closing games well.

   The lineup, although a bunch that is incredibly inconsistent, is still a fearsome unit. Aaron Judge still crushes homers, Giancarlo has rediscovered his power stroke as of late, Joey Gallo hitting homers when he isn't getting booed for strikeouts. Gary Sanchez also hits homers on occasion, and they have a Luke Voit/Anthony Rizzo platoon at first that also seems to work, despite Rizzo winning the majority of the playing time.

   So, looking at both of these teams, this game is gonna be a fun one. The Yankees have played better as of late, but the Red Sox have been white hot at various points this season, and this could be a time they get white hot again. In terms of a prediction, the Red Sox come out with a 5-4 win and face the Rays in the ALDS.