It took Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, a series of questionable calls and a rain-shortened six inning game, but the Yankees finally beat the Red Sox. Boston had won the first seven games against the Yankees this season until New York squeaked out a 3-1 win Saturday. 

This doesn't hide the fact the Red Sox have nine more wins this season than the Yankees and are the superior team especially given current conditions. 

No Cole now for today's series finale. The pitching matchup is lefty Martin Perez versus Jameson Taillon. I like Perez especially on the road where he's pitched much better. But this is an action play for me. 

The Yankees are reeling even with Cole's victory. It was just a band aid on what has been a lost season for New York. 

New York is 24-23 at home. Boston is 28-18 on the road. The Yankees have a losing record versus lefty starters and average-to-below average hitting statistics against southpaws. 

Perez is 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA on the road this season. Making things worse for the Yankees is they've been hit by a COVID-19 episode costing them numerous players and coaches. Among those out are power hitters Aaron Judge and Luke Voit. 

Taillon is a bottom tier starter with a 4.90 ERA that rises to 5.29 in night games. The Red Sox are 17-6 in their last 23 games against righty starters.