Red-hot Yankees have a prime opportunity to get closer to Boston in the East

New York Yankees, NYY, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton
Oct 9, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) celebrates with designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) after hitting a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning of game five of the 2020 ALDS at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees won another game against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, thus securing another series victory. The Bombers are among the hottest teams in the American League (besides the white-hot Houston Astros) and have won seven of their last ten contests.

A few days ago, the Yankees were 8.5 behind the first place and were fourth in the American League East. Right now, they are only four games behind the Tampa Bay Rays, the division leaders, and 3.5 back from the second-placed Boston Red Sox.

The Yankees have a premier opportunity to make things very, very interesting in the division: they will travel to Fenway Park this weekend to play a three-game set with the Red Sox. If the Bombers sweep, they will be only 0.5 behind their arch-rivals in the standings.

A big weekend for the Yankees

The players know it’s a big weekend. They have been playing well, Luke Voit returned with a bang (two, actually) and the offense has been swinging the bat well as of late.

Overall, the Yankees look better than the last time the two teams met, back in early June.

New York and Boston previously played in The Bronx from June 4-6, and the Red Sox ended up sweeping the three-game series by a combined score of 18-10.

“To have a chance to chip away at that lead, this is a big series for us,” Judge told MLB.com. “It’s going to be a packed house, weekend series at Fenway: Those are always fun. We’re ready; guys are swinging the bats well, our pitching staff is doing their thing. If we go in there and take care of our business, I think we’ll be in a good spot.”

In a week from now, if things go right for the Yankees and if they play quality baseball, they could be looking at their rivals from the top.

Will the Yankees earn a much-needed sweep of the Red Sox?