MLB insider has absurd argument for Dodgers-Padres rivalry surpassing Red Sox-Yankees

After taking three of four from the Yankees over the weekend, the Red Sox improved their playoff position and established themselves as top dog over their hated rival as we head down the stretch and into October.

That loss in the series finale actually had some historical implications, as it ended an eight-game winning streak from Boston in the series. They are now 8-2 against the Bronx Bombers this year (23-13 over the past three seasons), dominating what has long been considered baseball's best rivalry.

Well, don't tell that to Ken Rosenthal. The Athletic writer appeared on an episode of "Foul Territory" following the weekend series, boldly claiming that the burgeoning Dodgers-Padres rivalry has surpassed Red Sox-Yankees.

Ken Rosenthal disrespects Yankees-Red Sox rivalry with latest hot take

Before we dive into all the reasons why Rosenthal is (obviously) wrong about this, there are some concessions we have to make.

First, Rosenthal repeatedly says "right now" when referring to which rivalry he thinks is better. It's true that the Padres and Dodgers have better records than the Yankees and Red Sox do — a point Rosenthal brings up multiple times in defense of his stance — and it's also true Rosenthal agrees in a historical context, it's clear that clash between New York and Boston comes out on top.

However, he cites longtime Red Sox slugger Xander Bogaerts in his defense, claiming that the Padres' shortstop said the amount of established stars in both rivalries is what separates them right now.

Yes, the Dodgers' triumvirate of MVPs (Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman) and the Padres' cache of superstars (Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Bogaerts) makes each matchup intense.

But Rosenthal claims the Red Sox don't have enough established stars (and the Yankees don't have enough talent outside of Aaron Judge) to draw attention to the rivalry right now ... and then goes on to list Jackson Merrill as one of the Padres' stars worth watching. You know, the guy who is basically the same age as Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer. And while Merrill is really good, pretending that Anthony hasn't already put himself in the heat of the superstar conversation is preposterous.

Oh, and let's not forget that the Roman Empire has already made its way to New York.

There's no denying that the Dodgers and Padres are really good right now, and that their growing rivalry is giving the Yankees and Red Sox a run for their money.

But, to say that NYY-BOS "aren't even close", especially considering how much more history there is in the anthology of the Red Sox and Yankees, is just plain wrong.