When it comes to potential opponents in the ALDS, I don’t really have a preference as to whom the Red Sox should play. But I do know the team I don’t want to see and that is the New York Yankees.
It has nothing to do with fearing them and what they can do as a team. The Red Sox are better and they’ve proven it over the course of the regular season. The Sox have better personnel and seem to have karma on their side.
The reason I don’t want to see the Yankees is because of the usual circus that surrounds these two teams whenever they play. Normally, it’s never about what happens between the lines.
Sep 13, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey (41) throws put New York Yankees right fielder Curtis Granderson (14) on a attempted bunt during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
If the two teams meet in the first round we can probably expect to be treated to the following delightful headlines: “A-Rod Triumphantly Lifts Yankees to Playoffs,” Yankees Look to Avenge 2004 ALCS Loss,” “Red Sox With All the Pressure on Them This Time,” “Yankees Look to Re-invent The Curse,” “Anything Can Happen In a Short Series,” and so on.
The Red Sox will have enough to worry about as the probable number one seed in the American League playoffs regardless of the opponent. Having the hoopla the media creates around “The Rivalry” is a distraction no matter what anyone says. When these teams met in 2003 and 2004 it was fun but all the outside stories got old fast.
Just picture TBS and MLB Network with a week’s worth of stories about the rivalry, curses, A-Rod, steroids and beards. It’s all just too much to take. The playoffs should be about on the field accomplishments of the two teams. The off field talking points take away from that.
So, as The Sox and Yanks continue their three game series this weekend, let’s continue to root for the Sox to keep doing what they’re doing and put their hated rivals away for good. Not seeing the Yankees in the postseason will do wonders for the Red Sox’ focus and peace of mind as they move forward.