Of course neither the Yankees nor the Red Sox are in first place as they begin a four-game series on Thursday night at the Stadium. Somehow this still feels like the beginning of an abbreviated

For MLB insider Joel Sherman, he believes the four-game set is a “ real measuring stick ” for the Yankees for five reasons. The Red Sox are 41-24 at Fenway Park. So should the two teams meet in the Wild Card series, the Yankees would benefit by having the games in the Bronx and not in Boston.