Yankees Battle Red Sox in Bronx Amid Rivalry Resurgence

The Bronx, New York — The New York Yankees will face the Boston Red Sox for the first time this season on Friday. This late start to one of baseball’s most famous rivalries marks the fifth time in six years that the first game between the teams arrives in June or later.

Currently, the Red Sox find themselves 9 1/2 games behind the first-place Yankees in the American League East, entering the three-game series with a 30-34 record. Boston will be without infielder Alex Bregman, who is sidelined due to a quad injury.

“It’s been a tough start for them, but a lot of close games that they’ve been on the wrong side of,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday after New York shut out Cleveland. “We really viewed them in spring training and early in the season as a really talented team. We know what they’re capable of and feel like that can still be a reality for them. We feel like a really good, hungry club is gonna be coming in here… I feel like they’re very dangerous.”

For the Yankees, Friday’s matchup serves as a bounce-back opportunity for rookie right-hander Will Warren. The 24-year-old is looking to rebound after allowing seven earned runs in his last outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Warren will pitch against Boston for the first time.

Cody Bellinger, eager to take part in the rivalry, reflected on his excitement: “I’m very excited about it. I always think of that ’04 Red Sox team, and obviously you know about the rivalry… I’m sure the atmosphere is going to be really fun.”

Teammate Paul Goldschmidt noted that the atmosphere is reminiscent of his time with St. Louis, saying, “(Chicago) Cubs–Cardinals was that way in St. Louis… Everyone loves to play in those atmospheres.”