NEW YORK — The New York Yankees’ weekend started with the fear that their forever rival, the Boston Red Sox, would pass them for second place in the American League East.It ended Sunday with Red Sox infielder Andruw Monasterio pitching with the score lopsided in the eighth inning, giving up home runs to José Caballero and Austin Wells en route to a 16-1 smackdown at Yankee Stadium and a 3-1 series victory for the Yankees.“It means a lot,” Caballero said.“It was big,” manager Aaron Boone said.
Cabby joins the barrel party 🎉#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/mlekhrmBRG
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 30, 2026It was more than an important weekend in the standings for the Yankees, who pushed Boston to 4 1/2 games behind them while securing the season series 7-6, ensuring that they would win a tiebreaker if the teams finish with the same record. And it was more than keeping the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, who are ahead by 4 1/2 games, within striking distance.It showed that the Yankees could rise to the occasion when it mattered.Boone noticed something about his players early Sunday morning. They weren’t dragging, despite coming off splitting a day-night doubleheader Saturday.“I loved the energy we came in with today, and I felt that right away,” he said. “I felt like we had a pep in our step.”The Yankees have entered a stretch in which they need to start rounding into playoff form.They were coming off a disappointing series loss at home against the Houston Astros, who lead the AL West but are just above .500.On Monday, the Yankees begin a six-game West Coast trip that starts against the worst-in-MLB Los Angeles Angels before they face the San Diego Padres, who are battling for a National League wild-card spot.By mid-September, the Yankees hope to have back captain Aaron Judge (fractured first right rib), along with righty Clarke Schmidt (Tommy John surgery) and lefty Ryan Weathers (forearm flexor strain), and begin to showcase the roster they want to take into October.
