Bleacher Report Makes Bold Red Sox-Yankees Prediction For Stretch Run originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Yankees currently sit above the Boston Red Sox in the American League East standings.
Bleacher Report does not expect them to stay there.
In its latest collection of bold predictions for the final two months of the 2026 MLB season, Bleacher Report predicted that Boston will finish ahead of New York.
Calling that outcome “bold” reflects where the two rivals currently stand. The Yankees entered Wednesday at 67-52, three games ahead of the 64-55 Red Sox. New York also occupies second place in the AL East, while Boston has fallen into third during a four-game losing streak.
The Yankees have been the better team across the entire season to this point. Bleacher Report, however, believes the clubs could be heading in opposite directions down the stretch.
Red Sox Made Stunning Midseason TurnaroundBoston’s current skid has interrupted one of baseball’s most remarkable in-season transformations. The Red Sox were 14 games below .500 before launching a six-week surge that changed the direction of their season. They won 32 of 40 games, climbed into the playoff race and moved within striking distance of New York.
That run was not powered by one unsustainable hot streak at the plate. Boston outscored opponents by an average of 2.3 runs per game during the stretch, receiving strong pitching and contributions throughout its lineup. The Red Sox appeared to be a balanced contender rather than a struggling team simply enjoying a collection of close victories.
Their momentum has disappeared over the last several days. Boston lost its series finale against the Athletics before dropping three consecutive games to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Red Sox have scored three runs or fewer in all four defeats after erupting for 25 runs across two games immediately before the slide.
Those losses have created some separation between the rivals, but Bleacher Report still sees reasons to trust Boston’s potential.
Yankees Have Struggled Without Aaron JudgeNew York built a comfortable advantage earlier in the season before settling into an extended period of mediocrity. The Yankees have gone 40-40 over their last 80 games. That stretch coincided with Aaron Judge’s rib injury, which has robbed the lineup of its most dangerous hitter.
Judge has made progress, but his rib remains in the healing process. There is no guarantee he will immediately return to peak form once he is cleared. New York has managed to remain above Boston despite Judge’s absence, but playing .500 baseball for nearly half a season makes its position vulnerable.
The Red Sox also are waiting for several prominent players to return. Roman Anthony has progressed to hitting against a high-velocity Trajekt machine as he works back from a partially torn tendon in his right ring finger. Trevor Story remains sidelined by a sports hernia, while Garrett Crochet could eventually rejoin the pitching staff.
Boston already welcomed Adley Rutschman into its lineup Tuesday. The three-time All-Star reached base three times in his Red Sox debut after recovering from left wrist inflammation. Bleacher Report also identified top shortstop prospect Franklin Arias as a potential September addition. Arias was ranked as the No. 4 prospect in baseball by B/R’s Joel Reuter.
MORE: Adley Rutschman Makes Strong First Impression In Red Sox Debut
Red Sox Still Must Prove Prediction RightBleacher Report’s prediction is a vote of confidence in Boston, but the Red Sox must stop their current slide before discussing a late-season takeover. New York has spent the season above .500 and still holds the advantage in both the standings and the loss column. Boston’s remarkable comeback only matters if it can avoid giving away that progress against struggling opponents.
The remaining weeks could come down to health.
If Judge returns and quickly resembles his usual self, the Yankees will become far more difficult to catch. If Anthony, Story and Crochet return first and provide immediate help, Boston could possess the deeper roster for the stretch run.
The article placed the Yankees over the Red Sox based on their current standing, but predicted that order will flip before the season ends.
Boston has already erased a much larger deficit this year.
Overcoming three more games against its oldest rival would be considerably less shocking, even if Bleacher Report still considers it bold.
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