Why Former Red Sox Champions Think Yankees Will Be ‘Fine’ originally appeared on NESN.
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The Boston Red Sox suddenly aren’t that far behind the New York Yankees in the American League East standings.
Boston recovered from a 2-7 start to take two of three games each over the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals. On the other hand, the Yankees have fallen to 8-7 after losing five straight games.
Two former Red Sox players don’t think Boston’s rival should panic. Kevin Millar, a member of the 2004 squad that completed an epic American League Championship Series comeback over the Yankees, believes the Bronx Bombers will bounce back.
Millar noted the close nature of New York’s setbacks on MLB Network’s “Intentional Talk.” The Yankees have lost six games by one run each and the other by two, so their plus-21 run differential still leads the AL.
“I believe the Yankees are gonna be fine,” Millar said on Monday. “They’re gonna hit home runs.”
A high-powered Yankees lineup is batting .202/.308/.345 this season, but Millar expects them to heat up as the weather gets warmer.
“I’m not worried about the Yankees,” Millar continued. “I know there’s people at the network that are worried about the Yankees. I know the sky is falling. (Trent) Grisham’s not gonna hit .130; he had 34 home runs last year. (Aaron) Judge is gonna hit close to 60 home runs again. It’s just the way it goes. (Cody) Bellinger is gonna be awesome. They’re gonna be fine.”
Ryan Dempster shared Millar’s concerns about the New York Mets, but the 2013 Red Sox champion also expects the Yankees to get back on track.
“I’m not worried about the Yankees,” Dempster said. “I think the Yankees will be fine.”
The Yankees will begin a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday before going to Fenway to play the Red Sox next week.
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