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Red Sox Postseason: Five biggest questions heading into ALDS vs Yankees

By Sean Penney

BOSTON, MA - MAY 18: Drew Pomeranz #31 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning at Fenway Park on May 18, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 18: Drew Pomeranz #31 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the fourth inning at Fenway Park on May 18, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Boston Red Sox Mookie Betts J.D. Martinez
TORONTO, ON – MAY 12: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by J.D. Martinez #28 after scoring a run in the third inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 12, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Who will be the Red Sox MVP in this series?

This question boils down to the two players who are in the mix for the AL MVP award this season. In order for the Red Sox to succeed they are going to need the heroics of Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez to continue.

The Yankees set a single-season major league record with 267 home runs. While Boston led the majors by a significant margin in runs scored, runs are harder to manufacture in the postseason. Games can be swayed by the long ball and nobody does that better than the Yankees.

Martinez gives the Red Sox lineup their best chance to keep pace with the Bronx Bombers. He was second in the league with 43 home runs this season. He also destroyed Yankees pitching to the tune of a .333/.367/.597 line with four home runs and 20 RBI in 19 games.

Betts has been even better against New York, slashing .415/.506/.738 against them. He also provided one of the season’s most memorable moments with his dramatic grand slam against Happ.

Betts and Martinez are the first MLB teammates to finish first and second in the majors in both batting average and slugging percentage since 1903. No team in baseball has a more fearsome duo to carry their lineup.

Boston has the two best position players in this series. Is that enough to overcome the depth of a Yankees lineup that boasts seven players who hit 20+ homers and eight with an OPS of at least .820?

Next. Ranking the top 30 Red Sox prospects. dark

The postseason is where the brightest stars shine and the Red Sox will need their stars to lead the charge against the Yankees in this series.

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