The Yankees’ season appears to be inching toward an early end, as they face a mounting deficit in the American League wild card race with no signs of a turnaround in sight. The Red Sox would like to avoid the same fate.

Boston is battling alongside the Mariners for the wild card spot currently occupied by the Blue Jays, and it’s going to take a strong push over the final six weeks for the Red Sox to avoid a second consecutive postseason spent at home.

The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry has undoubtedly lost some of its flair over the years, but as both teams head to the Bronx with a sense of desperation, there is at least something on the line Friday night.

The Red Sox took care of business against the Yankees in June, taking two out of three games in New York before sweeping a series at Fenway Park just a week later. If the Red Sox win more games than the Yankees this season, their one-sided record against them will not appear to be much of a rivalry.