Red Sox and Yankees down the stretch

After battling back and forth all season with the Yankees in the AL East standings, the Red Sox have taken a 1 1/2-game lead in the division, with a three-game series between the teams beginning tonight at Fenway Park. While the Sox and Yankees both figure to make the playoffs, winning the AL East and getting home field may be the difference between rolling through the postseason and bowing out early. To handicap the race, we explored both teams' schedules, strengths, weaknesses, possible playoff opponents, and playoff rotations. Scroll through this gallery to see which team is better equipped for the postseason.
AP Photo

E-mail this article

Invalid E-mail address
Invalid E-mail address

Sending your article

Your article has been sent.

Peter Abraham/Globe Staff and Lenny Neslin/Boston.com Correspondent
After battling back and forth all season with the Yankees in the AL East standings, the Red Sox have taken a 1 1/2-game lead in the division, with a three-game series between the teams beginning tonight at Fenway Park. While the Sox and Yankees both figure to make the playoffs, winning the AL East and getting home field may be the difference between rolling through the postseason and bowing out early. To handicap the race, we explored both teams' schedules, strengths, weaknesses, possible playoff opponents, and playoff rotations. Scroll through this gallery to see which team is better equipped for the postseason.