AP Photo/Michael Dwyer
The New York Yankees might have been ambiguous about which team they consider to be a greater obstacle in their quest for the American League wild card playoffs.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan the Yankees chose to play the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park as a possible tiebreaker.
Passan pointed out that the Yankees have the option of playing the Red Sox in Boston, or the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, if there is a tie for one of the wild-card spots.
Other factors could have played a role in the Yankees' decision.
Rob Gillies, of the Associated Press, states that Canadian officials must grant exemptions to unvaccinated staff and players who are traveling to Canada. If they have not received a COVID-19 vaccine, there are additional safety and health protocols that staff and players must follow.
The Yankees reached MLB's 85 percent threshold for Tier 1 players, coaches, and staffers very early in the season. This allowed them to work under more relaxed protocols.
Both the Red Sox (Blue Jays) and the Yankees (Red Sox) had winning records during the regular season. Boston won 10 out of 19 games against its opponent. The Blue Jays were 11-8 against the Bronx Bombers in 19 games.
The first half was the most important part of Boston's victory against the Yankees. The Yankees won the first two series, but they have lost nine of their 13 previous meetings. From Sept. 24-26, the Yankees won a three-game series in Fenway.
From Sept. 28-30, New York took two of three games from Toronto's Blue Jays. In September, when New York was on a seven-game losing streak, the Blue Jays won a four-game series at Yankee Stadium.
Depending on Sunday's results, this entire scenario may be rewritten. Current wild-card positions are held by the Red Sox and Yankees, who have identical 91-70 records.
The Red Sox will host Tuesday's AL Wild Card Game against the Yankees if both teams win. To determine the second wildcard, a tiebreaker will take place Monday if either team loses Sunday.
There is also the possibility that the Red Sox and Yankees, Blue Jays, Blue Jays, and Mariners could all be tied. Two tiebreaker matches would be played in this scenario with the winner receiving the wild-card slots.
