MLB playoffs: One bold prediction for each team

While JD and Mookie and the offense will get theirs, the top series performer will be an arm

The Red Sox lineup could be the toughest 1-9 in the entire league to face, and there’s no doubt that they will present one heck of a matchup issue for the Yankees.

However, my prediction is that the scene-stealer in this latest installment of the Yankees-Red Sox baseball theater will be someone hurling the sphere.

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Whether it be the return of Chris Sale to the mound to dominate the Yankees, a long, productive start from David Price or another starter, or Craig Kimbrel saving all three games, tossing more than an inning in each appearance, the dynamic piece for the Red Sox will come from their bevy of arms.

The Red Sox bullpen has certainly been an issue, and that will likely lead Alex Cora to lean on his starter harder if the starter’s in a groove on the mound rather than worrying about pitch counts or anything of that note. He has one of the game’s great closers to shut things down at the back end, but getting to Kimbrel has been a mess all season.

Getting one starter who comes out with a big performance could absolutely sway what should be a highly-contested series between the Yankees and Red Sox, so watch for which one of the arms steps up and climbs that mantle by the end of the series.

There they are, one bold prediction for each team in the MLB playoffs in the divisional round. Let’s hope for some big games to come!