Ny Yankees vs Boston Red Sox Picks and Predictions September 12th 2024

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are set to kick off a critical four-game series on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium, with both teams eyeing the playoffs. For the Yankees, who hold a narrow 1 1/2-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, this series could be crucial to solidifying their division lead. Meanwhile, the Red Sox find themselves four games back of the Minnesota Twins for the final AL wild-card spot, making every game a must-win as the regular season winds down.

Playoff Implications for Both Teams

High Stakes with 16 Games Left

With just 16 games remaining in the regular season, both teams are feeling the pressure. New York (84-62) needs every win to maintain its slim lead atop the AL East, especially with the Orioles hot on their heels. Meanwhile, Boston (74-72) is fighting to stay in the wild-card hunt. The Red Sox will face the Twins later this month in a pivotal three-game series, but first, they need to perform in this four-game set against their historic rivals.

Every game from here on out has playoff implications, and this series could make or break both teams’ postseason dreams.

Both Teams Enter Series on Emotional Highs

Red Sox Rally Behind Tyler O’Neill

Both Boston and New York come into Thursday’s opener riding the high of dramatic walk-off wins. For the Red Sox, it was Tyler O’Neill who came through with a clutch three-run homer in the 10th inning to secure a 5-3 win over the Orioles. O’Neill’s blast was his 30th home run of the season, part of a red-hot streak where he’s hit five homers in his last five games.

The victory allowed the Red Sox to keep pace with the Twins, maintaining a fighting chance in the wild-card race.

Yankees Rely on Soto’s Power, Chisholm’s Walk-Off

The Yankees also secured a dramatic victory, edging out the Kansas City Royals 4-3 in 11 innings. Jazz Chisholm Jr. provided the walk-off infield single, but the real hero of the night was Juan Soto. Despite fouling a ball off his foot and collapsing in pain, Soto managed to hit a two-run home run, reaching 100 RBIs for the second consecutive season. The homer marked Soto’s 199th career blast, and his toughness on display added to the Yankees’ momentum heading into this series.

Boone hopes Soto will be ready for Thursday’s opener after treatment, but his availability remains a key storyline heading into the game.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Criswell vs. Cortes

Cooper Criswell Looks to Cool Yankees’ Bats

Boston will send right-hander Cooper Criswell (6-4, 4.11 ERA) to the mound for the opener. Criswell will be making his first career start at Yankee Stadium, and it comes at a crucial time for the Red Sox. Though he’s faced the Yankees before, Criswell holds a 5.40 ERA over two appearances (one start) against New York. He’ll need to navigate a Yankees lineup that features the power of Soto, Chisholm, and others in order to give Boston a chance to take Game 1.

Nestor Cortes Returns to Starting Role

The Yankees will counter with left-hander Nestor Cortes (9-10, 3.97 ERA), who’s had an up-and-down season but remains a key figure in their rotation. Cortes is familiar with the Red Sox, holding a 2-0 record with a 5.22 ERA in 12 career appearances (six starts) against them. Though his ERA against Boston is high, Cortes has been a workhorse for the Yankees this year, leading the team in innings pitched (163 1/3).

Cortes is coming off a stellar relief outing against the Chicago Cubs, where he pitched 4 1/3 scoreless, hitless innings to secure a 2-0 win. Despite initially being frustrated with his temporary move to the bullpen, Cortes remains focused on helping his team win in any capacity.

Now back in the starting rotation, Cortes will make his 29th start of the season, looking to keep the Yankees on top in the division.

What’s at Stake

Red Sox’s Playoff Hopes on the Line

For the Red Sox, this series is as close to must-win as it gets. With four games behind the Twins for the final wild-card spot, Boston can’t afford to drop games, especially against division rivals like New York. Every win brings them closer to making a late-season push for the postseason, and this series could either keep their dreams alive or crush them.

Yankees Fighting to Hold AL East Lead

On the other side, the Yankees need to fend off the surging Orioles, who are just 1 1/2 games back in the AL East. With 16 games left, New York is playing to secure their division lead and avoid a wild-card race. A strong showing in this series could provide the breathing room they need to close out the season atop the division.

The stakes are high for both teams, with playoff hopes hanging in the balance.