tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

2012 Yankees – Red Sox Begins Today

This afternoon at 3pm the Blood Rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will have its opening act for 2012 at 100 year old Fenway Park. In fact, today marks the actual date 100 years ago that the first game was played at Fenway. The Yankees roll into Boston with a 7-6 record after holding on last night for a 7-6 win over the Minnesota Twins. The Red Sox are 4-8 and in last place in the AL East.

Like with most rivalries, records don't matter particularly this early in a long season. The scary thing for the Yankees is that they could be just what Boston needs to get on track. Tonight's pitching match-up is Ivan Nova versus Clay Buchholz. The Red Sox will be without Carl Crawford and Jacob Ellsbury and are reeling under the watchful eye of Bobby Valentine. Valentine has caused an uproar with his criticism of Kevin Youkilis.

There will be plenty of hype for this series as there usually is when these two teams meet. What you can also bank on are games lasting for four hours. I for one am not going to buy into the hype. There are 19 games between these two teams. It is too exhausting to make these games life and death. At the end of the day it's about qualifying to play in October. So everyone needs to take a chill pill. This is one series in April and the Yankees need to play well just like they need to play well in a series against Kansas City in May.

Here's hoping these games could be played under four hours.