The 2021 MLB American League Wild Card Game is almost here, and we’ve got a fantastic matchup on our hands.
The Boston Red Sox are set to host the New York Yankees.
While this rivalry isn’t what it used to be, there is still a lot of history at play.
Moreover, these two clubs tried to fight each other off in the standings all year long, but they ultimately finished with the exact same record.
It’ll be a battle of 92-70 teams on Tuesday night.
Only one will survive, and the other will be sent packing.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the matchup.
Previewing New York’s Starting Pitcher: Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Cole made four starts against the Red Sox in the regular season, and the results were not particularly good.
He pitched to a 4.91 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.
While that’s a good sign for Boston, this is not: Cole has an outstanding postseason track record.
He has 13 playoff starts under his belt, and he has a 2.68 ERA, 3.36 FIP, and .568 opponent OPS in those games.
Clearly, the righty is unfazed by high-pressure situations.
Plus, he’s coming off of an outstanding overall campaign.
He pitched to a 3.23 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and 1.06 WHIP in the 2021 regular season.
Feeling really good about Gerrit Cole in Boston tomorrow
— Dan Rourke (@DanAlanRourke) October 4, 2021
He’ll look to keep things rolling on Tuesday night, but it won’t be a small task, as the Red Sox had the fifth-best run-scoring offense in baseball in the regular season.
Previewing Boston’s Starting Pitcher: Nathan Eovaldi
Red Sox manager Alex Cora clearly believes in Nathan Eovaldi.
Cora could have given the nod to veteran ace Chris Sale in this game, but instead, Eovaldi earned the honor.
Eovaldi is coming off of a very good 2021 season.
He posted a 3.75 ERA and a league-best 2.79 FIP.
Nate Eovaldi with 2 strikeouts after his first inning of work.
Just dropped the hammer on Ryan Mountcastle. #RedSox | #DirtyWater pic.twitter.com/tuw1fnYBCO
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) September 29, 2021
The righty faced New York six times in the regular season, and the results were very solid, as he pitched to a 3.71 ERA.
All of Eovaldi’s playoff experience came in the 2018 postseason.
In those playoffs, he established himself as a Red Sox legend, pitching to a 1.61 ERA over six outings (two starts).
Boston, of course, won the title that year.
If the team wants to win another in 2021, then Eovaldi will have to rise to the occasion on Tuesday night.
Which Team Has The Edge?
Momentum is a funny thing.
It’s vital in sports, but it can shift in an instant.
And in the case of the 2021 AL Wild Card Game, it’s tough to tell which team has momentum on its side going into the matchup.
On one hand, the Red Sox just swept their final series of the season to lock up the No. 1 Wild Card spot.
The same can’t be said about the Yankees, who lost their final series of the regular season.
However, these two clubs met a little over a week ago, and New York dominated.
The Yankees swept the series by a combined score of 19-9.
Boston did take the season series from New York (which is the only reason this game is being played at Fenway Park), but the Yankees obviously had the Red Sox’s number at the end of the year.
This game could be an all-time classic, and we’ll just have to wait and see how it unfolds.
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