Yankees' schedule before facing well-rested Red Sox isn't an excuse (but is absurd)

If the Yankees have appeared to be sleepwalking through their past two Red Sox series, perhaps there's a reason. The first time they headed to Fenway Park in June, they were coming directly off a rain-delayed, nail-biting win in Kansas City. There was nothing MLB's scheduling department could've done about the weather, but there was something the league could've done about the late arrival. After all, they did it for Boston, baking in an off day for the Red Sox before the clash could begin (in Boston, at their home park).

This time around, the Yankees were asked to fly from Tampa to the Bronx overnight Thursday into Friday; according to Michael Kay, who rode the team charter, the players made it home between 4:00 and 5:00 am EST. Boston? Not so much; despite this being a home series for the Yanks, the advantage was fully given to the Red Sox, who got to enjoy a leisurely day in New York City while their opponents were attempting to outlast the Rays in extras on Thursday night.

Determinative? It shouldn't be. Good teams show up. Good teams roll out of bed prepared and rested. The Yankees do not look like anything resembling a good team, even at a passing glance.

But for the disparity to be laid that plainly by MLB is somewhat ridiculous, no? The Red Sox have been given three off days before their three clashes with the Bombers in 2025. The Yankees? They've played the night before every single time. And it's decisions like these that leave the Red Sox comfortable and the Yankees with a bedraggled bullpen and Yerry de los Santos entering a one-run game in the opener (at which point Roman Anthony took him deep and salted away the tone-setter).

Yankees' lack of off days before Red Sox series has made a staggering difference

Again, slightly-more-than-normal regular season fatigue cannot explain the Yankees' lapses in judgment and repeated failures to appear in massive, season-swinging games. But you'd think MLB would attempt to make the playing field as even as possible, at least alternating off days between franchises if not awarding them to both. Nope.

Stunningly, the circumstances will result in the Sox going four-for-four in off days, taking another Thursday off before the two teams' final regular season meeting at Fenway Park Sept. 12-14. The Yankees will, instead, spend Sept. 11 playing the Tigers in New York.

At least there's a reason for Boston's break this time, though; they'll be coming all the way from Sacramento. Maybe that helps even things out. Or maybe the long travel galvanizes them and they come out even stronger.

That's what good teams do, after all.