Roche: Spoiler Alert! Red Sox Can Make Life Tough On Yankees
BOSTON (CBS) - It has been one miserable season for the Boston Red Sox.
There is no way around it and we all know that. It's the first time since 1966 the Sox have lost 90 or more games. That's 46 years!
And, thank goodness there are only three games left to play. After that, it will be time to move on to the task of rebuilding this team.
But, for these next three games, they have a chance to at least play the role of spoiler.
For those that haven't been paying attention, the new playoff format in Major League Baseball does no favors for the Wild Card teams. They have to play each other Friday, and then the winner opens up a best-of-five series against the top team in the AL on Sunday.
Read: Red Sox-Yankees Preview
As for the Yankees, they enter this final series with the Red Sox at 92-67. The same record as the Orioles, who visit Tampa Bay for their final three.
Now, here's the big twist.
If the Red Sox can prevent New York from winning the AL East, the Yankees would have to play the other Wild card team (most likely Oakland) on Friday, and then open up a best-of-five series against the top team in the AL on Sunday.
There's also a scenario where if the Yankees and Baltimore finish tied atop the AL East, they would play a tie-breaker game Thursday. The loser would then meet the other Wild Card team Friday, and then open up a best-of-five series Sunday.
There is also the possibility of the Yankees losing that game on Friday and going home, having played 163 games just to get there. Ouch!
Stats: MLB Standings
So, if you're a Red Sox fan and you have a disdain for your arch-rival in New York, then there is one thing left to root for in 2012.
After that, time to move on...
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on twitter @RochieWBZ.
