2008 Woodie Awards
Yanks or Sox? Our Experts Hash It Out, Part 1
Steve Conoscenti Sports Columnist
Issue date: 9/22/05 Section: Sports
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Would it even be an MLB season if there wasn't a battle between Boston and New York? No, there are no bullpen-clearing brawls, and no, there are no fans throwing debris at the opposing team, but there is a fight in progress... a fight for first.
Okay, so I'm a born-and-raised New York fan; the Knicks, the Jets, and of course, the Yankees, so maybe I'm a little bias. As you'd expect, I fully believe that the Yankees will again walk away with top honors in the AL East.
If both teams continue at this rate, we may not even have an idea who will win the East until they meet for their final game of the season, the last of a three game series, on October 2 in Boston. One day the Yanks are only a half-game back, the next day they are a game and a half back, then the next night it's back to being a half-game back. It's going to be a seesaw ending to the season-that's for sure.
Both teams have a series left against division rivals Toronto and Baltimore, plus, of course, their series to end the season, but the difference may come in each team's other series. The Red Sox take on the Devil Rays in a three-game series while the Yanks play the Orioles four more times in Baltimore.
Now if you're a Yankees fan, you know that this could mean absolutely nothing. We've witnessed multiple losses to the Devil Rays and multiple wins over the White Sox. However, you have to believe that the Yankees are going to fight harder than ever in these last few games. They know they are better than the teams they are finishing against, and with their season on the line, the warrior will come out in everyone on that roster.
But why should you believe that the Yankees will win the AL East? Well, there are a few reasons. For starters, everyone seems to finally be reaching their potential. Robinson Cano had a great weekend and really got people excited for the future. He could be the first Yankee since Derek Jeter to go through their farm system and play a big role in the team's future.