MLB 2026: What's gone right for Yankees and wrong for Red Sox - ESPN

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Cam Schlittler rack up 5 K's over 8 innings vs. Red Sox. (0:38)

So far in 2026, the most famous rivalry in Major League Baseball has been one-sided.

With a sweep of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park this week, the New York Yankees improved to 16-9 on the young season, the best record in the American League. The Red Sox, who fell to 9-16, head into the weekend in last place in the AL East.

What has gone right for the Yankees -- and wrong for the Red Sox? ESPN MLB experts Jorge Castillo and David Schoenfield break down New York and Boston, respectively.

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## New York Yankees

## Three things they're getting right so far

1. The starting rotation is elite (and it's going to add two All-Stars soon). The Yankees' 2.59 starter ERA is the best in the majors by a sizable margin (the Los Angeles Dodgers are second at 2.81). The excellence was on display this week at Fenway. Luis Gil, New York's fifth starter, yielded two hits over 6⅓ scoreless innings in Monday's series opener. Max Fried grabbed the baton and was even better, tossing eight scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. For the finale, Cam Schlittler, a revelation in 2025 as a rookie, held the Red Sox to two runs over eight innings to lower his ERA to 1.77 in six starts.

Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, meanwhile, are progressing from their respective elbow surgeries and nearing returns. Cole, who underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2025, surrendered two runs and threw 42 of his 52 pitches for strikes in 4⅓ innings for High-A Hudson Valley in his second rehab start Thursday. Rodón will take the mound for Hudson Valley on Friday for his first rehab start. He had surgery on his left elbow to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur. The Yankees project Rodón will join the club by the end of May. Cole is slated for a slightly later return.

Should the current rotation stay healthy, Col