New York Yankees vs Red Sox Matches: Scores, Stats, History

Few rivalries in American sports carry the weight of the New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox matchup. Across 2,303 games spanning more than a century, these two franchises have combined for 2,289 total wins — a number that keeps climbing as they circle back to face each other year after year.

Postseason Record: Yankees 14–13 (.519) · Yankees Biggest Win: 22–1 (June 19, 2000) · Red Sox Biggest Win: 17–1 (May 28, 2005) · Recent Game: Yankees 4-2 over Red Sox (Apr 23, 2026)

How many times have the Yankees and Red Sox fought?

The phrase “fought” takes on two meanings here. On the field, the teams have squared off 2,303 times since 1901, making this the most-played rivalry in Major League Baseball. Off the field — or more precisely, on the diamond during benches-clearing moments — the teams have had multiple notable dust-ups, though precise incident counts remain incomplete in official records.

Key brawls and incidents

The Red Sox–Yankees rivalry has produced several infamous moments that have transcended the scoreboard. While exact altercation tallies vary by source, the competitive fire between these clubs has burned hot enough to spill onto the field repeatedly over the decades.

Rivalry origins

What started as a geographic AL East squabble evolved into something far bigger once the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1920 — a deal Boston owner Harry Frazee reportedly made to fund a Broadway production. The Yankees used Ruth to build a dynasty; the Red Sox waited 86 years for their next championship. That backstory fuels every pitch, every at-bat, every crowded bleacher section.

Who is favored to win, Red Sox or Yankees?

Heading into the 2026 season, the Yankees sit atop the American League at 16-9 after sweeping the Red Sox at Fenway Park in April. The Red Sox, conversely, occupy the AL East basement at 9-16 — a record that reflects both their slow start and the hole they’ve dug against New York specifically.

Current odds

Projected odds from sportsbooks as of early May 2026 point to the Yankees as World Series contenders — a status reinforced by their dominant Fenway sweep and the continued production of Judge. The Red Sox, despite signing Luis Suarez to a $130 million contract, have yet to convert that investment into wins against their fiercest rival.

Expert picks

ESPN’s baseball analysts noted that “so far in 2026, the most famous rivalry in Major League Baseball has been one-sided” after the sweep. The consensus leans Yankees in head-to-head matchups, though experts acknowledge that any given series can flip the script — especially with a 162-game marathon that punishes early assumptions.

What are New York Yankees vs Red Sox matches scores and stats?

The raw numbers tell a lopsided story across the full history but show genuine competition in the recent window. StatMuse’s comprehensive head-to-head database documents the gap: Yankees have collected 1,252 wins against the Red Sox’s 1,037 across 2,303 total games. The Red Sox bat .259 with a .714 OPS against New York — respectable marks that haven’t translated into series wins.

Head-to-head records

• All-time: Yankees 1252–1037 Red Sox (.548 win rate for New York)
• Last two seasons (May 2024–May 2026): Red Sox 15-14 edge
• Last three seasons through August 2026: Tied 16-16 in 32 meetings
• 2026 series to date: Yankees 3-0 (sweep at Fenway Park)

Biggest wins

The Yankees posted their most lopsided victory on June 19, 2000, hammering the Red Sox 22-1 at the old Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox answered with their own blowout on May 28, 2005, winning 17-1. More recently, Boston posted a 19-3 win on July 25, 2019 — a reminder that New York isn’t immune to getting routed.

What are Yankees vs Red Sox last 5 games?

The most recent clash — a Yankees 4-2 victory on April 23, 2026, at Fenway Park — opened a three-game sweep that sent Boston to 9-16 on the season. Before that, the Red Sox had actually been competitive: they went 7-2 against the Yankees in 2025, including series sweeps in June and August.

2026 results

April 23 marked the first of what became a clean three-game sweep for the Yankees at Fenway Park. New York averaged 7.00 runs per game during that series; Boston managed just 3.00. The gap showed up in every facet — pitching, defense, and timely hitting — and left the Red Sox searching for answers heading into their next Bronx trip.

Recent trends

Step back one more year and the picture flips. The Red Sox swept the Yankees in mid-May 2024 (8-4, 9-3) and blanked them 3-0 at Yankee Stadium on July 7. That July shutout stands out as evidence that Boston can pitch effectively in this matchup when their starters are on. The problem in 2026 has been consistency — the same staff that held New York to three runs one night gives up seven the next.

Yankees vs Red Sox 2025 and 2026 predictions?

Baseball projections as of May 2026 favor the Yankees for two reasons: their elite offense and their rotation depth. The Red Sox made a $130 million bet on Luis Suarez, but his impact remains theoretical against a Yankees lineup that pounds mistakes. The wild card is health — if Boston gets fully healthy and gets consistent starts from their top three arms, the series balance could shift by mid-summer.

2025 record

The Red Sox finished the 2025 regular season with a 7-2 record against the Yankees, including sweeps at both Fenway and the Bronx. That dominance earned them a postseason berth and set up a memorable AL Wild Card Series showdown. The 2025 frame of reference matters because it proves Boston can play New York even — they just haven’t done it in 2026 yet.

2026 outlook

With 22 games remaining in the season series (as of late August 2026), the Yankees hold a 16-13 lead in their last 29 meetings. The Red Sox sit last in the AL East and need every win they can get — particularly against New York, where a series victory would inject life into their playoff push. June 5-6 at Yankee Stadium represents the next critical test.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Three seasons of matchup data reveal a genuinely competitive rivalry underneath the lopsided all-time record.

The pattern is unmistakable: the Yankees dominate in 2026 while the Red Sox hold the edge when examining the broader two-year and three-year windows. That tension between short-term dominance and long-term parity defines this rivalry’s current state.

Rivalry Timeline

The rivalry’s arc runs through championships, blockbuster trades, and stretches of dominance by one side or the other.

The implication: blowout margins have gone both directions over the decades, and the 2026 sweep fits a historical pattern where one team temporarily seizes control before the other answers back.

Rivalry Outlook

Here’s what we know and what remains uncertain as the 2026 season unfolds.

What People Are Saying

For the first time since an epic back-and-forth bout in the 2025 American League Wild Card Series, the Yankees and the Red Sox will do battle.

— MLB.com Staff, MLB.com (Official MLB news outlet)

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 rivalry has tilted firmly in the Yankees’ direction.

— ESPN Staff, ESPN (Sports analysis network)

Summary

The New York Yankees versus Boston Red Sox rivalry remains baseball’s fiercest rivalry, but right now it’s not close. The Yankees sit 16-9 with the AL’s best record, fresh off a Fenway Park sweep that sent the Red Sox to 9-16 and the AL East basement. The all-time record favors New York by 215 wins, but the Red Sox have shown they can compete — they went 7-2 against the Yankees in 2025 and held a 15-14 edge over the last two seasons. The next chapter comes June 5-6 at Yankee Stadium, where Boston will get another chance to flip the narrative. For the Red Sox, the path back to relevance runs directly through the Bronx.

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The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry pulses with intensity, as their detailed head-to-head record reveals standout games, stats, and over a century of fierce competition.

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