Bleeding Yankee Blue: EITHER CATCH THE SOX OR THE SEASON ENDS IN 3 ½ HOURS

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

EITHER CATCH THE SOX OR THE SEASON ENDS IN 3 ½ HOURS

Source: Paul J. Bereswill

The YES Network said it very bluntly, "Either catch the Red Sox and win the Division, or the season will be settled in 3 1/2 hours." That's about all the Wild Card Game is and that could be catastrophic for the Yankees who lose close games by one run.

Source: Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images North America

I am not being a naysayer, I am being a realist. I think we have a chance to catch the Red Sox despite their late inning, coming from behind antics as of late. I think they are a mediocre team who is holding onto the top spot because the Yankees have suffered more than their share of injuries.

Source: Steven Ryan/Getty Images North America

But here we are, despite the injuries, inching closer and closer to the Red Sox. According to the NY Post on Tuesday evening, "The manager bumped Luis Severino up a game in the rotation, allowing the right-hander to start three more times in the regular season — beginning with Wednesday’s series finale — if needed as the Yankees chase the Red Sox for an AL East crown. “Our goal is still to win the division,” Girardi said. “We have clinched nothing at this point. We still have a lot of work to do in front of us. It gives us the ability to start him three more times.’’

I personally could taste the defeat of the Red Sox on the last day of season like the October 2, 1978 tie-breaker in Fenway Park. "Deep to left..." and over the Green Monster went Bucky Dent's home run lifting the Bombers to victory and eventually a World Series Title.

And although Severino would not be available for the one game Wild Card given the schedule Girardi is proposing, he would be available for something very nostalgic.

Source: Abbie Parr/Getty Images North America

"If the Yankees enter the final day of the regular season with a shot at winning the AL East, Severino would be available to toe the rubber. He also could be in line to start a one-game playoff with the Red Sox to determine the AL East champ if they finished the regular season tied — a game that would be held in The Bronx courtesy of the Yankees’ 11-8 record against the Sox this season."

I have goose bumps just thinking of it. We either catch the Red Sox or leave the season up to 3 1/2 hours. I choose the catch of a lifetime.

How about you?