The latest episode occurred during the recently completed three game series last weekend at Yankee Stadium in which Ortiz went deep yet again.  This time it was Hiroki Kuroda who served up a towering gopher ball.

June 2, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) runs to the dugout after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

But to Yankees fans this wasn’t just another home run.  It was part of a pattern that Yankees pitching “refuses” to stop.  As he’s done many times before, Ortiz flipped his bat toward the Sox dugout after his moonshot and once again made his way slowly around the bases.

And Yankees fans are fed up.  They see it as another instance of Big Papi showing them up because Yankees pitching just can’t get him out.

Their answer to this problem, as its been every year since the Sox stopped being the weak little brother, is for Yankees pitchers to hit Ortiz on purpose so that he won’t crowd the plate and continue to dominate and flip his bats after home runs and other big hits.

Unfortunately for them, Yankees manager Joe Girardi doesn’t agree.  Instead of head hunting, Girardi is actually asking his pitchers to try to get Ortiz out rather than put him on first base with a plunking.  This causes the fans to have a real problem with their skipper.

If you ask me, this griping about Big Papi over the years is sour grapes from Yankees fans.  They have finally met their match in a player who is not afraid of their team and their ridiculous “mystique and aura” nonsense and they can’t stand it.

May 30, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman David Ortiz (34) celebrates hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

It truly drives them insane that this is THE guy that punched holes in the idea that the Red Sox would never beat the Yankees or be their equal.  They know he’s responsible for this new world order that changed forever in 2004 and, for once, they have no answer.  Except to hit Ortiz instead of trying to figure out a way to get him out.

Yankees fans always talk about the class their team exudes and about the “Yankee Way.”  Yet here they are saying the Red Sox throw at their players all the time so the Yanks have a right to retaliate.  Maybe they have a point.

But what they don’t seem to realize and what makes them sound ridiculous is that the Red Sox don’t ever face an antagonist in the Yankees lineup that is quite like Ortiz, so the Sox just go about their business while Yankee pitching sweats whenever they see Big Papi.

It all makes for great comedy and delicious irony from the viewpoint of Red Sox fans everywhere.  Big Papi is a constant reminder to Yankees fans of everything they lost in 2004 and they will continue to be bitter until the day he retires.  It’s a show Sox fans hope never ends.

May 22, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Sox should be looking to take AT LEAST two of three from the Bombers, as any less than that would be disappointing against an AL East foe. If the Sox win only one game of the series, their two-game lead would be pared down to a meager one game. But if they were to be swept, Boston would all of a sudden find themselves in a one game hole in the hyper-competitive Eastern division. On another note, a win tonight gives the Sox their first consecutive winning months to open a season since 2009. But after the disastrous start to the month, I suppose we can’t be disappointed even if they finish at an even .500.

The Red Sox are coming to New York at the perfect time though, as I already mentioned, the Bronx Bombers have lost five straight coming into tonight. The New York offense seems to be struggling and reminding us all that it is full of replacement parts and not the overpriced stars that have comprised the Yankees in years past. That said, the Yankees do figure to get two key pieces back this weekend, adding Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis at some point this series. For the most part the Yankees’ pitching staff has been decent though, so that alone should put the Sox in for a fight.

Game One. Jon Lester vs. CC Sabathia (Friday 7:05pm EST)

Clay Buchholz was originally supposed to get the ball in the series opener, but with his AC joint still acting up, he was pushed back to Sunday and Lester gets the nod instead. These two pitchers are arguably the two best lefties in the AL East (Not counting David Price, who has been ineffective and injured this year). Lester has been the first of two aces for Boston this year, behind Buchholz, and while his strike outs are down, he is still productive when he’s on the mound. Sabathia on the other hand, while still the ace of the New York staff, has scuffled a bit this year. He’s sporting a pedestrian 3.96 ERA in 11 games started and has been striking out only 7.6 batters per nine. The Sox are probably hoping for a repeat of his opening day start, or of his last two starts, productions in which he surrendered 11 runs in 13.1 innings pitched.

Game Two. Felix Doubront vs. Phil Hughes (Saturday 7:15pm EST)

The second game of the series is the one most likely for an implosion, from either side. Doubront has been up and down this season giving up walks and runs like nobody’s business. Hughes has been his own special kind of shaky this season, watching his ERA balloon up to 4.97 on the year. Hughes is coming off two decent starts against the Mets and Orioles, so there’s a chance he’s found something in his arsenal that’s working.

Game Three. Clay Buchholz vs. Hiroki Kuroda (Sunday 8:00pm EST)

The marquee matchup of the series gets the broadcast on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. Both pitchers have stepped into the role of ace for their teams, with Kuroda filling in for the scuffling Sabathia, and Buchholz complimenting Lester at the top of Boston’s rotation. They are both in the middle of their best seasons so this game should be a great match up. Buchholz sports an AL best 1.73 ERA and Kuroda isn’t far behind, coming in at number five with a similarly sparking 2.39 ERA.

As he stepped into the batters box for his first plate appearance I was particularly eager to see how Yankees fans would react to Kevin Youkilis being on their side now.  Would they cheer? Would they boo?  Would they stay neutral as they look warily upon this new relationship?

Apr 1, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Kevin Youkilis (36) doubles to left during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Predictably, (as I predicted quietly to myself) it was a resounding Yooouuuk cheer.  And I just had to chuckle.

Really, Yankees fans?  You love this guy so much already?  Gimme a break.

Look, I know all fans root for the laundry above all else.  But excuse me for being a little jaded at how quickly Youk was embraced by his new group of fans.  They absolutely hated this guy when he wore red.

I thought this would be a relationship that would take some getting used to, at least from the fan’s perspective.  After all, sleeping with the enemy is not a fun chore.

It just goes to show you, fans are truly fickle.  The guy they hated yesterday is now their new hero now that he wears their uniform. And he did go 1 for 3 with a double today.

I know I’m not breaking any new ground here.  I just thought that it was amusing that I predicted a positive Yooouuuk chant and Yankee fans delivered on cue.  Would Red Sox fans do it differently if the situation were reversed?  No way.  They root for laundry too.

But I still have to wonder:  what does Joba Chamberlain think about all of this?

Feb 28, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; A detail of a New York Yankees logo painted on the field for a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at George Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

April 20, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Historical logos on display under the grandstands during the 100th anniversary celebration at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

New York vs. Boston. No other words get Yankee and Red Sox fans more fired up. Boston, coming off a miserable 2012, will square off against an aging Yankees team on Opening Day in the Bronx. I recently had a chance to catch up with Fansided’s Yanks Go Yard Editor, Jason Evans. Here’s how my Q&A went with him.

In your opinion, did the Yankees make enough changes in the offseason to help increase their chances to win in 2013?
Nope. They lost a ton of home runs and RBI and replaced that with the Vernon Wells and Juan Rivera‘s of the world. Letting guys like Russell Martin, Rafael Soriano and Nick Swisher go I understood, but the injuries to guys like Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira may be too much to take.

What/who have been your most surprising upsides and let downs during this spring training season?
Brett Gardner has had a fantastic spring and really needed to to prove that he was healthy. No one has really disappointed me. It’s spring training. You can’t hold that much stock in it.

Key injuries impact teams both on Opening Day and beyond. What injuries, both short-term and long-term, will most hamper the Yankees’ ability to be successful?
The Yankees are old and really injured right now. I think the injury that will hurt the most is Teixeira’s because the team has really limited depth and couldn’t afford to lose anyone, let alone a first baseman.

What are the three keys to success for New York to compete for an AL East title in 2013?
They need to get injured guys back without setbacks and not lose any more players. Their pitching has to step up and carry the load. Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki need to be offensive catalysts.

Predict your AL East end of season standings and why.
1. Tampa Bay Rays – Too much good pitching and Joe Maddon will find a way with a healthy Evan Longoria
2. Toronto Blue Jays – The new guys come together and work well.
3. New York Yankees – Just enough offense to get by with really good pitching.
4. Baltimore Orioles – They’re a really good team, just may regress a little bit. Bullpen can’t be as good two years in a row.
5. Boston Red Sox – Not all of there new good guys will work out on a team with injuries and not enough pitching.

This division will be competitive all year long and it wouldn’t shock me if the difference between first and last is less than 10 games.

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The avalanche of injuries experienced by both teams is the culprit.  Each team will have to play with a very different group of players.  The names missing from the lineups are immense.

March 10, 2013; Dunedin, FL, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Kevin Youkilis (right) slides safely into home plate as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Josh Thole (left) is late with the tag during the fifth inning at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox will likely be without their heart and soul, David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis will now be at third base for the other side!  The Yankees will be missing Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and possibly Derek Jeter.

Suddenly, the greatest rivalry in sports has a bunch of no-name and journeymen players representing it.

Melky Mesa, Juan Rivera, Ben Francisco and Chris Stewart are just some of the new Yankee names.  The Red Sox will counter with David Ross, Jonny Gomes, and Ryan Dempster.  Not exactly a laundry list of All-Stars.

The managers, Joe Girardi and John Farrell, are prepared to play with what they have and the players want to win the game no matter who is out there.  But will the fans care as much?

I believe the answer is still yes.  The bottom line is fans still root for the laundry over everything else.  It doesn’t matter who plays, fans will always find a way to love their team and hate their team’s rival.

You think Yankee fans weren’t bothered last year when Yankee pitching couldn’t get Pedro Ciriaco out all season?  Were Red Sox fans disappointed that Brett Gardner was hurt most of last year and not able to run wild on the base paths?

It will be fascinating to see if the rivalry loses any of its edge early in the season.  These will be the only three games the teams will play with each other before July so I think the answer is likely no. There’s just not enough inventory of games between the clubs in their current state.

If you’re a fan, the players you love to hate on each side won’t be on the field right now.  But later in the season, when things really heat up, the regulars should be back out there.

So, even though this isn’t Red Sox vs Yankees of 2003-2008 will it still be as much fun for the fans come opening day?

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The latest casualty is first baseman Mark Teixeira, who has a strained wrist tendon and is expected to miss 8-10 weeks.  Add him to a list that includes Curtis Granderson (broken forearm out 8-10 weeks), Phil Hughes (back), Derek Jeter (recovering from broken ankle), Alex Rodriguez (hip) and Mariano Rivera (recovering from major knee surgery).

Feb 26, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) against the Philadelphia Phillies duringa spring training game at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Wrist injuries are tricky.  Ask any Red Sox fan.  Nomar Garciaparra was never the same after Al Reyes broke his wrist in 1999.  There are no guarantees Teixeira fully recovers.

At some point it becomes too much to overcome when you lose all these stars at once.  Look at the 2010 Red Sox, who hung in the pennant race until mid-September but eventually succumbed to too many man games lost to injury by their big players.

I’ve been saying all off season that the Yankees could be in trouble and that this could be the year it all goes bad for them because of all the age they have.  In fact, I made a video about it a few weeks ago on my web show, which you can view here:  http://youtu.be/iIlbWVlf1zA

I just didn’t see where the Yankees improved themselves after the Tigers and Orioles exposed their offense in the playoffs.  They didn’t re-sign Nick Swisher, Raul Ibanez or Eric Chavez and now they’ve lost two huge offensive forces in the middle of their order to long term injuries.  It’s going to be fascinating to see how Robinson Cano functions in this lineup with very little protection around him early in the season.

Their pitching staff is a major problem too.  There’s too much age on it and the Yankees arrogantly decided to simply bring back 38-year old Hiroki Kuroda and 41-year old Andy Pettitte as their major moves.

Plus, CC Sabathia had bone spurs removed from his pitching elbow, Rivera is 43 with no guarantee he’ll be what he was even though we all see him as the Bionic Man.  They let Rafael Soriano, his insurance policy, go to Washington so the bullpen also has questions.

Feb 19, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera during spring training at Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

This is the perfect storm of trouble for the Yanks.  When you add the age, untimely injuries to major players and their sudden austerity spending program together you are looking at a potential catastrophe of a season.

You can feel the noose tightening around the neck of Yankees fans.  Just listen to them call in to WFAN radio in New York if you get the chance.  They want GM Brian Cashman’s head on a platter because of the lack of off season moves.   As a Red Sox fan, it’s hilarious to see this unfold.

Yankee fans reveled in the misery of the 2012 Red Sox season.  But payback is a you-know-what and now it may be time for the Yankees and their fans to pay the piper for making the playoffs 15 of the last 16 years.

The message?  Nothing lasts forever and you cannot defeat father time.  Eventually the long playoff runs come to an end.  Again, just ask any Red Sox fan.  It can all disappear in a minute.

Both Cashman and Joe Girardi say “don’t worry, we’ve got veterans that have faced this before and know how to adjust and win, we’ve been counted out before.”  Maybe so but they’ve never been decimated by injuries quite like this.

If it keeps up, and the Yanks can’t replace Teixeira with say, a Justin Morneau, it may just be a reversal of fortune as Sox fans get to have the last laugh in 2013 while the Yankees struggle to win 75 games.

February 24, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson (14) reacts after he was hit in the fore arm by a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox and their fans know this song chapter and verse. Boston set a record last year for the most cumulative days on the DL of any team in MLB history (1,774). It was devastating and persistent. Injuries didn’t make the difference in Boston’s disastrous season by they certainly didn’t help.

Today the New York Yankees learned to sing that ugly tune. Curtis Granderson was drilled by a pitch from Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ while batting in the bottom of the first inning. The injury was initially diagnosed as a bruised forearm. X-Rays taken after Granderson was pulled from the game revealed the fracture, which Yankees team doctor Daniel Murphy estimated will keep Granderson out of the lineup for the next 10 weeks.

The Yankees were experimenting this spring with a platoon situation between Granderson and right fielder Brett Gardner, who will likely move to center field full time with Granderson on the DL into the early weeks of the regular season. Like the Red Sox, the Yanks are a bit thin in the outfield. With Granderson out non-roster invitees Matt Diaz and Juan Rivera will certainly get more playing time as Gardner moves to center field.

Let’s get on to the real story. Position by position who’s ready to beat the other down and give their fan base obnoxious bragging right? Strap in. Here we go.

September 19, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Mike Napoli (25) hits an RBI double in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

First Base
Mark Teixeira vs. Mike Napoli
Winner: Napoli
Rationale: Teixeira’s on a psychological downswing. His most quotable quote, coming last week after a crappy 2012 season in which he was down in every statistically significant category while the Yankees still owe him $90 million through 2016, is revealing. “Agents are probably going to hate me for saying it,” Teixeira was reported as saying by CBS Sports. “You’re not very valuable when you’re making $20 million. When you’re Mike Trout, making the minimum, you are crazy valuable. My first six years, before I was a free agent, I was very valuable. But there’s nothing you can do that can justify a $20 million contract.” Wow. Look like someone is setting expectations early. Additionally, after Teixeira, there is no one on the Yankees depth chart.

On the other hand Napoli has a TON to prove this season and is motivated. After an injury was revealed during a physical followed by a protracted negotiation with Boston resulting in a 1-year, $5 million dollar deal, Napoli will be loaded for bear. His natural Fenway swing and tough work ethic will reignite a hunger he hasn’t had since early in his career. No contest. Napoli takes this.

September 30, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) at bat in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Red Sox 6 – 3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Second Base
Robinson Cano vs. Dustin Pedroia
Winner: Pedroia
Boston and New York fans can argue about this until the end of time. To me, the value is to the team, not the individual stats, which are nearly a dead heat except for  Cano’s better slugging and HR numbers (Pedroia has a better career OBP).

Pedey means more to the Red Sox than Cano does to New York. Take Pedroia out of Boston’s lineup and it’s curtains. New York can still win without Cano. When Pedey had a lapse in leadership during a tough season last year, the team crumbled. He’s the heart and soul of the club. He’ll bounce back this year and have a typical Pedroia year, which puts him a hair’s breath ahead of Cano.

Oct 13, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (middle) is helped off the field by trainer Steve Donahue (left) and manager Joe Girardi (right) after an injury in the 12th inning against the Detroit Tigers during game one of the 2012 ALCS at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Shortstop
Derek Jeter vs. Stephen Drew
Winner: Jeter
One guy, Drew, had an ugly ankle injury at the end of 2011 that hampered him through the 2012 season.

The other guy, Jeter, had an ugly ankle injury in the 2012 playoffs. Given his age, his status may be questionable heading into 2012 but every time Sox fans are ready to throw dirt on Jeter he does it again. This year will be no different. Jeter wins this contest hands down even on a bad day. Oh, and being a sure-thing first ballot Hall of Famer might tilt the scales just slightly in Jeter’s favor.

Aug 9, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks (64) reaches for an RBI double by Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (not pictured) in the fifth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Third Base
Kevin Youkilis vs. Will Middlebrooks
Winner: Middlebrooks
Middlebrooks shoved Youk off of third base last year and Boston moved him to the White Sox.

New York got Youk for 2012 to fill the Alex Rodriguez hole, which by the way is a crater that will not be filled adequately. Even if A-Roid comes back from his recent hip surgery his future is gravely in jeopardy after his name was again recently linked to another PED scandal.

Honestly, for the good of the game, can’t this self-absorbed distraction simply go away?

Bottom line. Youk, after a career of sacrificing his body, is on the downswing and holding on for another payday. Middlebrooks, after a season ending wrist injury in 2012, is by all accounts back swinging a back with authority and is poised to pick up where he left off.

Ichiro Suzuki (31) bats against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays beat the Yankees 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Right Field
Ichiro Suzuki vs. Shane Victorino
Winner: Ichiro
Hold on Red Sox fans before getting your panties all in a bunch. Agreed, Ichiro is the poster child for my aforementioned father time reference. His work ethic and ability to take great care of his body, however, have been keys to a long and productive career. He batted .322 and had a .722 OPS in 2012 while he was his usual stellar self in the field.

Boston’s Victorino, the Flyin’ Hawaiian, has been very good throughout his career but is coming off a subpar year that will greatly improve in Boston but won’t be helped by the fact that he’s essentially playing out of his normal center field position. The only way Victorino edges Ichiro is if Suzuki becomes old all at once, which is highly unlikely.

September 17, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Center Field
Curtis Granderson vs. Jacoby Ellsbury
Winner: Ellsbury (by a nose)
Ells will play it a little safer in 2013 to preserve his health but will still have a huge walk year in Boston. Where is the empirical evidence that supports this? I have none. It’s just a gut feel. Ellsbury will hit for average, better power than the past two years and will steal bases again.

Granderson, also in his walk year with New York, slugs for bigger numbers, making both his home run and OPS totals statistically better than Ellsbury, while Ells has a better average and OBP. Granderson is a very solid fielder. When healthy, Ellsbury is an electrifying fielder, getting to and catching balls that the Grandy Man simply can’t run down.

Oct 16, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) reacts at bat during game three of the 2012 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Left Field
Brett Gardner vs. Jonny Gomes
Winner: Gardner
This one is short and sweet. Gardner has plus speed and hits for average, has a decent OBP and is a good fielder.

Gomes hits more homers and has a higher OPS and, well, tries really hard in the field. Gomes can’t hit a righty, period.  Gardner takes this battle of the nothings.

September 18, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (39) and first baseman James Loney (22) score runs in the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher
Francisco Cervelli vs Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Winner: Salty (and company)
With the exception of Salty’s better power numbers and strikeouts, Cervelli and Salty are similar players with essentially the same defensive stats. Boston will win the battle of attrition because Boston’s backups, Ryan Lavarnway and new acquisition David Ross are better than Cervelli’s backups, Chris Stewart and Austin Romine, two players with very little combined big league experience.

And the team winner is…Boston by a nose!

Boston’s and New York’s pitching staffs while be compared in an upcoming article.

Baby, even the losers, get lucky sometimes.
Baby, even the losers, keep a little bit of pride, they get lucky sometimes.
- Even The Losers, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers 

It all stems from two things: A-Rod’s probable long recovery from a second hip surgery in less than four years and his alleged involvement with a so-called anti-aging clinic in which the director of the clinic, Anthony Bosch, has been tied to performance enhancing drugs with up to 20 professional athletes- most of them baseball players.

Oct 14, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez reacts after striking out in the 2nd inning against the Detroit Tigers during game two of the 2012 ALCS at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

It remains to be seen how the Yankees and A-Rod will handle the future of their relationship.  Money plays a big part in it. It’s doubtful the team will be willing to eat the remaining five years and $114 million on the contract so agreements, if any, will have to be worked out for a parting to happen.

The flip side of all this trouble around A-Rod right now is that the team and its fans have a chance, however remote, to be rid of him forever and that has to make both parties ecstatic.

Say what you want, but there has been a constant love-hate relationship between the fans and A-Rod ever since he first pulled on the Yankee jersey back in 2004.

Some never wanted him there in the first place.  Others looked at his act when he got to New York and quickly soured on him.  Most of that has to do with negative comments A-Rod directed toward Derek Jeter years ago in an Esquire magazine article.  For them, that was enough to forever hate the intruder from Texas.

If he doesn’t play this year and has played his final game in pinstripes, it is likely Kevin Youkilis will play a big part in the scenario.  He’s only signed with New York for one year but if A-Rod stays away and Youkilis produces well, you know the Yankees will likely want to keep him at third base.  Certainly, that is an idea that makes the stomachs of Red Sox fans everywhere turn.

September 2, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis (20) before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox fans have always wondered how they’d feel about Youk if he didn’t play for their team.  Well, now they’re about to find out with him playing on the team’s most hated rival, possibly long term, if indeed it’s over for A-Rod in New York.  It should make for an interesting summer at Fenway and beyond.

For more thoughts on this story please click below for a link to my web show. http://youtu.be/0BXZ8EmX__A

Jun 2, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis (20) during their game against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Practically from his debut in 2004, Youkilis was beloved among Red Sox Nation. His quirky batting stance coupled with his hard-nosed attitude and great defense at first base led to the calls of “YOOOOUUUUK” every time he stepped to the plate. From 2007-2010, he averaged a .303/.401/.534 slash line while averaging a similarly impressive 23 home runs and 89 RBIs in 132 games per year.

His career immediately started to decline once he injured his wrist in July 2010. He was out for the year, a season where he was on pace to set career highs in home runs and RBIs. When he came back in 2011, he was just not the same player– batting just .258/.373/.459 with 17 home runs and 80 RBIs in 120 games. Youkilis was even worse in 2012, batting just .233/.315/.377 in 42 games for the Red Sox.

His unimpressive statistics along with the emergence of top prospect Will Middlebrooks led to his trade to the White Sox on June 22, 2012. He was slightly better upon joining the White Sox, batting .236/.346/.425 the rest of the way, but not nearly the player he was in his early years. Due to said early years, however, he did have a fair amount of value on the free agent market.

Youkilis is a versatile enough player to handle both corner infield positions and packs enough punch at the plate to be a valuable piece. If he can stay healthy, it’s not ridiculous to expect a 20 home run season. However, that’s a gargantuan “if.” Youkilis is not even close to being worth the 1 year/$12 million contract the Yankees signed him to, a deal making the Napoli and Victorino deals look like Rays’ signings.

“Youk” was always a favorite of mine in a Boston uniform. I hope that Red Sox fans are not so short-sighted that they boo Youkilis, as he was a useful player for several years. As long as he isn’t playing against the Red Sox, I’ll cheer for Youk, and it’ll sure he weird to play against him on Opening Day. I wish the man well in his future endeavors, as we can’t forget the business side of the game. Yankees fans ought to appreciate what they’re getting in Youk, one of the hardest playing athletes I’ve ever seen. When Youkilis travels to Boston in the future, he’ll always hear the occasional “YOOOUUUK” over his shoulder.

Tek. Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

This is not a tale of good sportsmanship or love of the game. This is the long standing, sordid and tortured story of being a Red Sox fan in the wake of the New York Yankees 2012 collapse. In the twisted and delicious universe that is Red Sox Nation, Boston won the World Series yesterday when the Yankees were swept away in four straight games by the Tigers and looked absolutely awful doing it while back biting their way to the front pages of the New York press.

Boston had their worst year since 1965. New York’s season lasted exactly 15 days longer than did Boston’s. Fair enough. The sun will rise tomorrow and each team will look toward their 2013 seasons with plenty of question  marks.

If you’re a real Red Sox fan you already know the litany of grievances and heinous transgressions perpetrated by the Yankees and indeed the self-inflicted wounds of Red Sox themselves. Damn their winning ways. The mere names evoke passion: Babe Ruth, Johnny Pesky, Carl Yastrzemski, Tony Conigliaro, Carlton Fisk, Thurman Munson, Bobby Murcer, Billy Martin, Lou Piniella, Calvin Shiraldi, Bob Stanley, Bucky F’in Dent, Aaron F’in Boone, Grady Little, Curt Schilling, Derek Lowe, Dave Roberts, Kevin Millar, Pedro Martinez. Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera.

These are the ingredients in a Northeast stew that starts simmering on the hot stove in November and comes to a deliriously tasty fruition, if both teams are lucky, in September. The recipe has been passed down through generations; each father, son, mother and daughter bringing their own special spice to the mix.

When bad things happen to the other guy we are secretly gleeful, reveling in their misery. Is there not a Red Sox fan alive who isn’t giddy over the Alex Rodriguez mess. By the way these were the same fans who were incensed when the Yankees swooped in and bagged A-Rod when it looked like Boston was about to seal the deal with him. Now who’s been bagged? He he he.

Mariano Rivera blew out a knee shagging fly balls to start the season and Derek Jeter broke an ankle to close the season. Yes, it’s a shame for two class acts that are and have always been great for the game to go down that way. In that deep, dark heart of the Nation, however, a band strikes up a rousing rendition of Sweet Caroline and a large chorus of players that never got a ring interspersed with a few that did, sings lustily. Ding, dong the witch is dead. Is it petty? Unquestionably. Would any Red Sox fan sing it all over again if were to happen all over again? Same answer.

Yes, Red Sox fans have an inferiority complex when it comes to the Yankees. By the same token, if you believe that any Yankee fan felt bad about injured Boston players missing a combined 1,500 games this season and the team finishing last then I have a bridge to sell you that runs over Florida swampland.

With the exception of today’s 6-1 thumping at the hands of the Tigers, New York pitchers didn’t lose this series. New York’s appalling lack of hitting is what sunk them. With the exception of the inimitable and timeless Ichiro Suzuki, who batted .353, Yankee hitters were, well, hitters in name only:

The man Sox fans love to hate, Alex Rodriguez, and it now appears so does most of New York. Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Swisher: .250
Raul Ibanez: .231
Mark Teixeira: .200 (and some uncharacteristic muffs in the field)
Russell Martin: .143
Alex Rodriguez: .075
Robinson Cano: .056 (don’t ya know, no Robby Cano. With a minimum of 35 playoff at-bats, Cano’s OBP is the lowest in a single postseason and average is the fourth lowest in playoff history)
Curtis Granderson: .154

The Yankees led the major leagues in home runs during the regular season with 245 yet failed to score a single run in 20 straight innings against Detroit. They scored in just 3 out of 39 innings and never held a lead in any of the four games. Excuse me, I have to go outside and howl at the moon.

Wouldn’t it be a drag to be like them 
They’re gonna sell out everything 
But I won’t get fooled again 
Cause I’m gonna be . . .19 forever
- Nineteen Forever, Joe Jackson

Spring Training 2014 will likely be the next chance for the Yankees to see their top pitching prospect, Manny Banuelos, on the mound. (Image Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE)

Banuelos made just 6 starts on the 2012 season, totaling 24.0 innings. He finished 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA and 8.2 K/9, but struggled with command and with runners on base. By mid-May the team had shut him down with what was described at the time as elbow soreness. The team conducted their usual array of examinations (MRI, etc.) but found no structural damage. So Banuelos was simply shut down for a few weeks until the arm felt better. By late-June he was back on a mound, throwing bullpen sessions at the team’s minor league training complex in Tampa. A lack of comfort in throwing his curveball and a nagging back issue led the Yankees to shut Banuelos down for the season on August 6th. The organization termed the injury at the time as a simple bone bruise and expressed an expectation that Banuelos would pitch in winter ball and join the team in Spring Training.

Late Tuesday afternoon a new announcement was made with regards to Banuelos, simply that he would be undergoing Tommy John Surgery on Thursday and will miss the entire 2013 season.

Now the Yankees’ top pitching prospect, who may have been MLB-ready next season, will have missed two full years of development and his prospect status will likely take a hit. Upon returning for the 2014 season Banuelos will still only be on the verge of his 24th birthday, so all is certainly not lost for the young left-hander from Mexico. But for New York, it’s a big blow for an organization hoping to infuse homegrown talent into an aging roster so that they can continue to ratchet payroll back under the luxury tax threshold. The team’s disappointment was apparent when Joe Girardi was asked about the announcement prior to Tuesday night’s game (per Mark Feinsand):

It’s not what you want to see out of your young players that you think have a bright future for you, but a lot of guys have had setbacks and went on to have great careers. He has an opportunity to heal up, get strong and be a factor after that. I’m sure it’s frustrating for him and it’s frustrating for us, but you have to make the most of it.

While you never wish that a player on an opposing team succumbs to injury (particularly when this writer happens to be more of a Yankees fan than a Sox one), losing Banuelos could benefit Boston simply based on the fact that the Sox won’t have to face him next season. Banuelos was described as “having the potential to be the Yankees best homegrown pitcher since Andy Pettitte” by Baseball America in their 2012 Prospect Handbook before the start of the 2012 season. They also project him to be a possible #2 starter once he reaches the Major Leagues. Had he remained healthy and continued to refine his pitches, it is entirely possible that he could have been a viable option for the Yankees next Spring as they assemble their rotation. Now those discussions will have to be pushed back at least another year. Boston’s had its fair share of problems facing the Yankee pitchers in the past, so delaying the addition of a second talented lefty to the New York rotation can’t be a bad thing for the Sox.

Yankee manager, Joe Girardi said it best when he reminded the media that his club is known as the Bronx Bombers and not the Bronx Bunters when discussing the role of small ball earlier this week.  And his club reiterated that statement on Wednesday night when the Yankees belted three home runs, accounting for their entire offense en route to a 5-4 victory over the Red Sox.

It’s no secret that the Yankees rely on the long ball and it has been a huge part of their success as they are 76-40 when they hit at least one home run, including Wednesday.  When they don’t hit a dinger, they are a dismal 4-22 bringing in a whole new level of debate as to whether or not this club is built for a postseason run when you consider in a short series that they would only see the opposing team’s top three pitchers.  When you count on the long ball as much as they do, good pitching has a way of keeping the big bats quiet, especially in October.

The Red Sox were held at bay for most of the night against Yankee starter David Phelps but managed to chase him from the game in the sixth before getting two runs off of Joba Chamberlain to bring the Sox within two.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia provided some late inning drama with a solo shot off Yankees closer Rafael Soriano, but that’s as close as the Sox would come.  Daniel Nava hit a long, fly ball only to fall into the glove of Andruw Jones, just shy of the Green Monster, Mauro Gomez would ground out softly before Mike Aviles kept the rally going with an infield single.  Alas, Jacoby Ellsbury didn’t have the walk-off magic two nights in a row as he grounded out back to Soriano, ending the ball game.

The Red Sox did collect eleven hits on the night, six off the Yankees bullpen after being somewhat stymied by Phelps early on.

This game did have it’s fair share of fireworks other than the ones the Yankees and Red Sox were displaying at the plate.

Alfredo Aceves was his usual maniac self when Valentine pulled him from the game and his performance on the mound was just as awful, giving up two runs on three hits that included Curtis Granderson‘s second bomb of the game.

Cody Ross was then ejected in the bottom of the eighth after arguing balls and strikes and if you believe the Amica Pitch Zone courtesy of NESN, he had a legitimate gripe with the home plate umpire.

After Ross was finally removed from the field and cooler heads appeared to have prevailed, manager Bobby Valentine was tossed for continuing to banter from the dugout.  Bobby then went to home plate and got his money’s worth in what was an animated performance where he did all the shouting.  Is it me or is this act of Bobby’s getting a little old?  I mean he waits until his players are ejected before going and stepping in and then losing his cool.  Why wasn’t he out there the minute Ross was rung up and clearly upset?  Anyway, it’s been a tough year on everyone and good on Bobby for blowing off some steam.

The series concludes Thursday with the rubber match, a game the Yankees need as the Orioles continue to roll right along and remain tied for the AL East lead.

The Yankees held a division lead as much as 7 games over Baltimore and Tampa Bay in mid-August, but a reeling ball club that has battled injuries and a surging Orioles and Rays teams, New York could be feeling the heat.  Ask the Boston players who were on the team that collapsed last September how much pressure they start to feel when the games are dwindling down and momentum is far from your side.  While they’ll never admit it , the Yankees have to be feeling the pressure.  And for the Red Sox, this is the perfect opportunity to throw a wrench into New York’s plans.

But it won’t be easy.  The Yankees still possess one of the best bullpens in baseball along with an offense that can explode at any given minute.  The Red Sox bats are sputtering along and the pitching has been decent, but not good enough on a consistent basis, meaning any Boston victory will be well earned and hard fought.

The last time both New York and Boston both missed the postseason in the same year was 1993 when the Toronto Blue Jays won the division one year prior to having the Wild Card added. The Jays also went on to win the World Series in what was their second in a row.  While the Jays won’t be playing for the championship this year either, the Sox can allow a team like the Orioles or even the Rays to snag the division and a berth in the ALDS.

On a year where Red Sox fans haven’t had much to cheer about and knowing their club is out of the postseason hunt in early August, having the Yankees come to town, beat up and free falling, is a welcomed visit.  How sweet it would be to see Boston take two of three against the Bronx Bombers and further complicate their lives when trying to take yet another AL East title.  You know the wily veterans like Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez with other spark plugs like Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher will bring their A game meaning the Red Sox will have to play flawless baseball over the next three days.  But it can be done and anytime the Yankees invade Fenway Park you know the home team will have a little extra incentive to go out and play hard.  Even on a year where there is nothing to officially play for, seeing the biggest rival crumble into the depths of despair and the ranks of no October baseball is motivation enough.

The Yankees are coming to town and while this usually brings an element of intrigue, the rivalry has lost a lot of it’s gusto lately thanks to the Red Sox poor play.  But the Yankees are reeling and are clinging to their postseason position, meaning the Red Sox can help destroy the October dreams of the arch enemy and it begins Tuesday night.  Here are the pitching matchups for the series, courtesy of the Globe:

Tuesday: RHP Hiroki Kuroda (13-10, 3.14) vs. LHP Jon Lester (9-11, 4.99), 7:10 p.m.

Kuroda has been superior in his last two starts against the Red Sox, going 8.0 innings in each start and only surrendering two earned runs in one of the games.  The first start of the season against Boston, the former Dodger was the victor in what was a shootout on July 6 despite giving up six earned runs.  His last three starts of the year he’s averaged four earned runs, not bad, but not great either.

Lester on the other hand is giving us the indication that he may be turning the corner and finally pitching like the leader of the staff.  He’s won four of his last five starts that included a complete game loss in Seattle.  In August the lefty produced an ERA of 3.59 and a WHIP of 1.15, far better than his season averages and giving us all hope that maybe the Lester of old is back.  His last start against the Yankess on August 18, Lester went 7.0 innings while only giving up one earned run on five hits.

Wednesday: RHP David Phelps (3-4, 3.55) vs. RHP Aaron Cook (3-9, 5.17), 7:10 p.m.

Phelps has been in and out of the rotation for New York, serving as a bullpen arm for most of the season and spot starting when called upon.  The 25-year old has appeared in three games against Boston this year and two of those games he gave up three earned runs.

Cook has been the victim of the stagnant Red Sox offense as of late, collecting only one win in his last ten games despite pitching fairly well in most of those starts.  If you take out the August 31 start against Oakland, Cook has given up an average of three earned runs in his last five starts.  He faced the Yankees on July 27 and surrendered six earned runs on seven hits through 4.0 innings.

Thursday: RHP Phil Hughes (14-12, 4.13) vs. LHP Felix Doubront (10-8, 5.21), 7:10 p.m.

Hughes has been one of the few bright spots for the Yankees of late, giving up five earned runs in one start and only average just over one in the last four.  He’s beginning to resemble the role of the bulldog for the Yankees and they need Hughes to be just that if they want to stay ahead of the Orioles and Rays.

Doubront on the other hand, has been a bright spot for the Red Sox, at least for the first half of the year.  His arm is tired and should probably shut down for the final three weeks, stretch him out in the spring and get him ready for next season.  He’s averaged four to five earned runs in each of his last five starts and has spent time recently on the DL.

Cook’s night was not great, going 4.0 innings giving up 6 runs on 7 hits, walking one and fanning one.  The bullpen kept the game close until the eighth when Mark Melancon surrendered a grand slam to Curtis Granderson, putting the game out of reach in what became a 10-3 final.

Some positives out of the game that were good to see was Carl Crawford ripping a solo shot to right, one that found the second deck at Yankee Stadium. And Salty’s 20th homer of the season that leads all catchers in the majors.  But we won’t talk about his lowly .233 average that accompanies him.

The loss gives the Sox a record of 49-51, two games below .500 at the century mark.  With 62 games remaining the club will have to go 42-20 to have a realistic shot at making the postseason and with two more games in New York this weekend, the mountain could get a lot bigger before long.

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching it’s hard to believe the Red Sox will make any drastic changes, but rather some small ones like an Erik Bedard type deal that was made last year.  Will it be enough to propel this club forward?  Time will tell, but given the amount of talent on this club already, it’s a damn shame to see a sub .500 club through the first 100 games.

According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, via Twitter, the Yankees have acquired the outfielder in exchange for RHP’s D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar.  The story gets better as the Mariners are also sending an undisclosed amount of cash to the Yankees to offset part of Ichiro’s remaining salary.  We can’t make this stuff up people.

Talk about highway robbery. The Yankees surrender a couple of relievers who were both drafted in the tenth round of the 2008 amateur draft for a former all-star outfielder in Ichiro.  Evil strikes again.

Now Ichiro is not what he used to be as evidenced by his slash line that he’s produced through 402 at-bats to this point of the season (.261/.288/.353/.642 with 4 home runs and 28 RBI). It’s a far cry from his career averages of .322/.366/.418/.784 but given how banged up the Yankees outfield currently is, the deal makes sense for the Bronx Bombers.

Recently the Yankees lost Brett Gardner for what is likely to be the remainder of the season after getting ready to undergo surgery on his right elbow.  Yesterday it was reported that Nick Swisher is battling a strained left hip flexor and will miss at least the next three games.  Ichiro is insurance for mainly Gardner’s injury but will no doubt fill in for Swisher for the time being.

Is it fair to use the term “steal” in this case?  I certainly think so when you look at both Mitchell’s and Farquhar’s stats, or lack there of in the big leagues.

This season with the Yankees, Mitchell has appeared in 4.2 IP, giving up 7 hits and 2 earned runs with a 2.143 WHIP.  During his time in the minors he’s pitched in 85.2 innings, boasting a 3.81 ERA with a 6.8 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9.

Farquhar last appeared in the majors last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, appearing in just 2 games, giving up 4 hits and 3 earned runs. In 69.2 innings at the triple-A level, Farquhar has a 4.65 ERA with a 7.6 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9.

Given the experience and defensive abilities that Ichiro brings to the Yankees and suddenly giving up two minor-league pitchers, only one who is on the 40-man roster and the Yankees are looking like the winners in this one.

Of course there is the fact that Ichiro is 38-years old and will be free-agent at the end of the season, meaning Ichiro is likely a rental player for the Yankees for this year’s postseason run.  Still not a bad deal when you consider what they gave up.  Damn Yankees, they’re at it again.

After hitting just five bombs in the opening round, it proved to be enough to push Prince through to the second round where he hit eleven more and securing his place in the final.  And he was just getting warm, defying the odds that fatigue sets in once the final rolls around.

What was equally amusing was watching defending champion, Robinson Cano go without hitting a home run, much to the delight of a sold out Kauffman Stadium.  Cano’s first two outs were foul balls, sending the mainly Royal faithful into a frenzy.  By the time Cano hit his final out he still had a goose egg on the board and the swag we saw during the derby last year in Arizona was no where to be found.

While it doesn’t mean jack in the standings and it is little consolation for Red Sox fans given the Yankees are in first place, it does provide a little solitude seeing any Yankee struggle in front of a nation audience.  Given it was Cano, the often lackadaisical second baseman was even better.

Maybe Cano will struggle in the second half the way so many others have after they’ve participated in the home run derby. Prior to the all-star break Cano was arguably the hottest hitter in the American League, so maybe this humiliating night is just what the doctor ordered to cool him and the rest of the Yankees off.  Not likely, but dare to dream.

Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke, and Matt Garza are the Big Three starters on the meat market slab and “buying” teams that are desperate to fill a rotation slot, say #3 or #4, include the Red Sox, and their AL East rivals the Rays,and Yankees; so what would a deal for the “Tres Hurleros” [Spanglish] look like?

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