If Yankees face Red Sox in playoffs, we're looking at possible historic turning of the tides

Remember the good old days when the New York Yankees dominated the Boston Red Sox? The Curse of the Bambino dominated the narrative, and you just knew that when the chips were down, the Yankees were going to come out on top. Yeah, it's been a long time since we had such confidence that New York would prevail against its arch-nemesis.

The Yankees have had plenty of heartbreaking defeats throughout their history. The 2001 World Series stands out for a multitude of reasons, but nothing has been more embarrassing than the 2004 ALCS. It was the first time a team had ever blown a 3-0 series lead, and it was the impetus behind Boston breaking the curse.

Since then, it was clear the pendulum has swung in the Red Sox's favor. They've won the most World Series since 2000. They eliminated the Yankees from the 2018 and 2021 playoffs. It was bleak.

Until last year, of course. It's been 22 long years, but the tide seems to be changing. New York is 6-9 against Boston in the playoffs since 2004, though the Yankees bested the Sox in the 2025 AL Wild Card Series. That series gave birth to Cam Schlittler, Red Sox Killer, and may have been the catalyst for change.

Now, as Red Sox meltdown over Cedanne Rafaela's non-catch, as if that would have made a difference in the Yankees taking three out of four from their hated rivals over the weekend, it's time to examine what could fully tilt the tables back in the Yankees' favor.

Yankees defeating Red Sox in the playoffs for the second year in a row would restore the natural order

You have Boston's radio announcer calling for violence against Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Austin Wells, which is unprofessional. Also ... weird players to target? Then you have Ceddanne Rafael pouting about his trap, as if the bigger issue wasn't Will Warren completely dominating the Red Sox lineup.

On a macro level, these are two clubs that feel like they're moving in opposite directions. While the Red Sox had the incredible run that put them back in the playoff picture, their grand plan seems to be failing. Boston spent years acquiring young talent, just to see Marcelo Mayer get shipped out of town, Kristian Campbell turn into a nonfactor, and Roman Anthony failing to stay healthy.

The Yankees have had plenty of issues this season, but they do seem to have some positive developments for the future. Schlittler has become a true ace, Ben Rice is a premier slugger, Luis Garcia Jr. looks like a deadline steal, and prospects like George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones have had growing pains but still look to have bright futures ahead.

All of that will help the Yankees dominate the Red Sox in years to come as Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole age. Now they just need that final push of momentum to get there.

The way things are lining up, these mortal enemies will once again match up in the ALWCS. If we see the Yankees emerge victorious for the second year in a row, it will represent the moment the Yankees regain their edge. That would prove that the Yankees are on the rise as the issues bubbling under the surface have downed the Red Sox. If we're looking at back-to-back postseason eliminations, that has to be the start of something much, much bigger. Once again, all will be right with the world. Or at least it'll feel that way.

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