The New York Yankees face the Boston Red Sox in a pivotal series, with the Yankees looking to build on recent momentum after a strong performance against the Royals. The Red Sox, struggling with a 9-13 record, aim to turn their season around despite recent challenges in both hitting and pitching.
Key points
Yankees aim to build momentum after defeating the Royals
Red Sox are struggling with a 9-13 record
Luis Gil and Max Fried are key Yankees pitchers
Red Sox lineup is underperforming, impacting their season
New York YankeesBoston Red Sox
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 20: Roman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox leaves the field prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Monday, April 20, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joe Sullivan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 20: Roman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox leaves the field prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Monday, April 20, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joe Sullivan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The past two weeks have been adventurous for the Yankees since their 8-2 start to the season. A lengthy losing skid obliterated their fledgling division lead, then a perplexing four-game set with the Angels showed their greatest strengths and greatest flaws in equal measure. Consequently, it was a relief to watch the Bombers dispose of the Royals in convincing fashion over the weekend to complete the homestand. That gives them a good dose of momentum ahead of the first Rivalry Series of 2026.
The Red Sox are, to the pity of nobody on this pages, struggling. They sit tied for last place in the AL East with an 9-13 record, unable to rely on either a slumping lineup or a scuffling pitching staff. They game saw their ace Garrett Crochet get hammered around for the second consecutive outing over the weekend, and hitters theyâre relying on to have big seasons have not answered the call. Roman Anthony is off to a slow start. Trevor Story and have been frightful. still hasnât found his footing in the majors.
*How-evah*, as John Sterling would say, the Red Sox are still a very talented team the Yankees cannot afford to take lightly. The struggling Crochet will not appear in the series, but three strong startersâincluding one who always seems to elevate his game against New Yorkâwill take the home hill at Fenway Park.
**Tuesday: vs. (6:45 pm ET)**
This is a bit of a rough draw for the opener. Luis Gil has not looked great through his first two startsâhe at least made it through five innings last time, but has allowed seven runs across nine frames. Gil has issued five walks and surrendered four homers, including three against the Angels in an eventual come-from-behind win. It remains to be seen if Gil can reattain his Rookie of the Year vintage, but if he can handle a sleepy Red Sox offense, maybe that can spark a turnaround.
Connelly Early opposed in his unforgettable Wild Card Game 3 performance, and was matching Schlittlerâs dominance until losing his footing in the fourth inning. And hey, itâs still early, but the 24-year old lefty is looking good. Through four starts he has a 2.29 ERA with 20 strikeouts counterbalancing 10 walks. For what itâs worth, the Yankees feasted on Royals southpaws over the weekend, dispatching both and with ease. Will Early be another victim of a suddenly hot New York lineup?
**Wednesday: Fried vs. (6:45 pm ET)**
Speaking of left-handed pitching, we have a doozy in the middle game (airing on Prime Video) between two very good lefty starters. Max Fried had a substandard performance against the Angels last time, with of all people beating him twice. But he still has a 2.97 ERA through his first five starts and has been particularly strong on the road. Fried pitched great against Boston last year, including a strong Wild Card performance and six scoreless innings in a game at the Stadium in which he had an interesting encounter with a squirrel.
Ranger SuĂĄrez was the Red Soxâ big signing to make up for âs departure to the Cubs. His first four turns through the rotation have been the definition of a mixed bagâtwo clunkers against and followed by a pair of scoreless outings against the and Tigers. That last game was an eight-inning two-hit masterpieceâBoston ultimately won that game 1-0 in 10 innings. SuĂĄrez is at his best when he keeps opposing lineups on the ground; he grabbed 10 of them in that start.
**Thursday: Cam Schlittler vs. (6:10 pm ET)**
Schlittler is due to receive a positively venomous reception from the Boston crowd thanks to that aforementioned utter domination of the Sox to eliminate them in the Wild Card Series. Itâs hard to believe the Walpole native will be pitching at Fenway Park for the first timeâSchlittlerâs meteoric rise has come that quickly. He and fellow Massachusetts native are quickly turning New England against them, and that suits Schlittler just fine.
Brayan Bello, of course, is a Yankee-killer. Heâs never really been an exceptional starting pitcher, but he routinely elevates his game against the Bombers. Given his 6.75 ERA through four starts, heâs certainly hoping that trendline can continue. Bello threw over 30 pitches in a rocky first inning and exited after four innings with four runs allowedâso the key to the Yankees will be to get after him early.
Q&A
What is the current record of the Boston Red Sox?
The Boston Red Sox currently have a record of 9-13, placing them tied for last in the AL East.
Who are the starting pitchers for the Yankees vs. Red Sox series?
The starting pitchers for the series include Luis Gil, Max Fried, Cam Schlittler for the Yankees, and Connelly Early, Ranger SuĂĄrez, Brayan Bello for the Red Sox.
How have the Yankees performed recently before facing the Red Sox?
The Yankees have shown improvement, recently defeating the Royals convincingly after a rough patch that included a lengthy losing streak.
What challenges are the Red Sox facing in their lineup?
The Red Sox are struggling with a slumping lineup and a pitching staff that has not performed well, including issues with their ace Garrett Crochet.
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