Yankees and Red Sox are two teams trending in opposite directions

A month into the regular season, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox find themselves in very different places.

The Yankees are scuffling, their 9-17 record indicative of their struggles on the mound and at the plate, and are already seven games back of leader in the American League East. That team on top of the division is Boston, riding an 8-2 stretch over their last 10 games to a 17-11 record on the strength of their loaded lineup.

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Given the current state of the two teams, it should come as no surprise then that the Red Sox swept their rivals last weekend at Fenway Park in their first head-to-head series of the season, making a rough start for New York even worse.

Fortunately for the Yankees, they don’t have to wait long for their opportunity to exact revenge, as this weekend Boston makes the trip to Yankee Stadium for a three-game series. Friday’s game between the Yankees and Red Sox, which starts at 7:05 p.m. ET, is our Free Game of the Day and can be viewed on Yahoo’s Sports Home, MLB index and video home.

While New York is looking for any sign of progress – the Yankees are second last in the AL in runs per game and third last in ERA – the Red Sox actually have reason to feel like they can get even better.

Boston has the top offense in the AL, averaging 5.25 runs per game, and they’re racking up the wins while their pitching staff is still figuring things out.

Most notably, David Price has had a bit of an uneven start to the year with three good starts and three clunkers and Clay Buchholz has four starts where he’s allowed five earned runs. On the flip side, Rick Porcello, the Red Sox starter on Friday night, has stepped up after a down 2015 season and knuckleballer Steven Wright has been splendid, posting a 1.67 ERA in five starts.

Yes, it’s early May, but it’s always a big series when these two teams link up, especially how this season is playing out to date. Will the Yankees be able to get back on track or will the Red Sox continue their hot play and grow their lead in the AL East?

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