Yankees Red Sox Game 1

The Red Sox and Yankees meet in the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Game 1 ended a lot like 2004, with the Red Sox on top.

The Red Sox started off hot, JD Martinez hit an early home run against JA Happ. On the other end of the ball, Sale was unbelievable to start the game before he had to come out 16 outs in. By that time, however, the Red Sox were up 5-0 and Happ had been out for three innings.

The two teams play again tomorrow night in Fenway, (photo via NBC Sports)

The Yankees relievers are unbelievable. Chad Green, David Robertson, Zach Britton, and Lance Lynn combined for five scoreless innings. The Red Sox bullpen looked shaky at best, allowing the Yankees to come back to within one run in the top of the ninth. The Yankees managed two runs in the sixth to cut the lead to three. Then, with the bases loaded and no outs, the Yankees managed one run. This inning was their big opportunity to take the lead, but a Stanton strikeout ruined the potentially huge inning. Finally, Judge hit a solo home run to cut the lead to one in the top of the ninth. But Craig Kimbrel then struck out three straight to end the game.

With Happ’s struggles and Sale’s success, it’s encouraging that the game was as close as it was. If the Yankees can take Game 2, which I bet they will given Price’s postseason struggles, the Yankees still have a real chance at winning this series.