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Yankees-Red Sox Wild Card Series Preview: Judge's Absence Could Tip the Scales
Confirmed
In Short: The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are set to face off in the upcoming Wild Card series, with a twist: Aaron Judge's absence due to a right calf strain.
According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, Judge will miss the Yankees' four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays and his status for the playoffs remains uncertain.
Judge's injury could significantly impact the series, as the Red Sox are reportedly planning to start rookie left-hander Payton Tolle in Game 1, a move that may be influenced by Judge's absence.
Manager Aaron Boone of the Yankees is expected to line up Gerrit Cole for Game 1, with Cam Schlittler in Game 2, though the health of Max Fried remains unclear.
The Yankees' bullpen could face challenges without Judge's presence, as they may need to rely more heavily on relief pitchers like Brayan Bello.
Despite the uncertainty, the series is expected to be highly competitive, with both teams having strong pitching rotations and deep bullpens.
The Red Sox's decision to start Tolle in Game 1 could be a strategic move to exploit the Yankees' weakened lineup.
The Yankees' hopes for a quick series victory may be hampered by Judge's absence, as he is a key player in their lineup.
The series will be a best-of-three format, with the winner advancing to the AL Division Series.
The Yankees and Red Sox have a storied rivalry, and this Wild Card series promises to be a thrilling matchup.
The outcome of the series could hinge on the effectiveness of the pitching matchups and the ability of both teams to adjust to the absence of key players.
What this adds
The exact impact of Judge's absence on the Yankees' performance remains to be seen, and the Red Sox's strategy could change based on further developments.
What's confirmed
- According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, Judge will miss the Yankees' four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays and his status for the playoffs remains uncertain.
- Judge's injury could significantly impact the series, as the Red Sox are reportedly planning to start rookie left-hander Payton Tolle in Game 1, a move that may be influenced by Judge's absence.
- Manager Aaron Boone of the Yankees is expected to line up Gerrit Cole for Game 1, with Cam Schlittler in Game 2, though the health of Max Fried remains unclear.
- The Yankees' bullpen could face challenges without Judge's presence, as they may need to rely more heavily on relief pitchers like Brayan Bello.
- Despite the uncertainty, the series is expected to be highly competitive, with both teams having strong pitching rotations and deep bullpens.
- The Red Sox's decision to start Tolle in Game 1 could be a strategic move to exploit the Yankees' weakened lineup.
- The Yankees' hopes for a quick series victory may be hampered by Judge's absence, as he is a key player in their lineup.
- The series will be a best-of-three format, with the winner advancing to the AL Division Series.
- The Yankees and Red Sox have a storied rivalry, and this Wild Card series promises to be a thrilling matchup.
- The outcome of the series could hinge on the effectiveness of the pitching matchups and the ability of both teams to adjust to the absence of key players.
What's still developing
- I have been steeling my heart all week to do the unthinkable, to uncork the ultimate turncoat take as a Boston Red Sox fan: in predicting the looming Wild Card series with the New York Yankees, I was ready to predict that the Yankees would win.
- I wrote a lengthy breakdown of the pitching matchups in this series earlier this month, and speculated that Boston would go with Sonny Gray in Game 1 with Tolle in Game 2, while the Yankees would use Cam Schlittler and Max Fried in some order, though I wasn’t quite sure how healthy Fried was or if Gerrit Cole or Carlos Rodon would get the other nod.
- Meanwhile, it’s an open question if Crochet will be able to provide a bullpen role in the Wild Card, but as of last week he was throwing 92 miles per hour — still a ways to go.
- The Yankees-Red Sox playoff series is going to be a movie.
- Yes, it’s looking like Aaron Judge will not be available for the Yankees in the Wild Card round and potentially beyond, and no matter how you slice it, that’s a disaster for New York.
- That’s a real risk to potentially hang Fried out to dry if the Yankees get swept, but it’s possible he’s just not healthy enough to run out their early and risk needing too much from the bullpen.
- New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge is going on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain, the team announced Friday, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.
- The three-time AL MVP could return before the wild-card round if he's healthy enough to be activated.
- It's all but a formality the Yankees will host the Boston Red Sox in a best-of-three wild-card series.
- The Atlanta Braves captured the NL East, while the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks are battling for the wild card spots.
- The Blue Jays and Orioles are clinging to slim hopes for the AL's third and final wild-card spot.
- One team will win the division while the other is looking at a wild-card spot.