It’s been several years since a September Red Sox/Yankees series mattered as much as this one.

The eternal rivals entered their last series of the regular season in possession of the American League’s first (Yankees) and second (Red Sox) Wild Cards. New York is three games back from the Toronto Blue Jays in the division standings. Boston is three and a half.

It’s a far cry from their four-game series two years ago, when the prize was fourth place, instead of last, in the the division, and tickets were going for a dollar plus fees. Entering the weekend 81-66, the Red Sox are one victory away from their first winning season since 2021.

“It hasn’t been this way since ‘21,” manager Alex Cora said Friday afternoon. “Just being around the city yesterday, everybody’s excited. It’s Yankees, Red

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