BOSTON -- The New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox rivalry is considered one of the greatest in all of sports.
But over the past two years, it has certainly turned into a one-sided affair. And this weekend, it has become a part of New York's late-season surge.
The Yankees pummeled the Red Sox 8-0 on Saturday night for their 12th consecutive victory over their American League East rivals, tying a franchise record. The Yankees -- who also have now won 10 consecutive games overall since landing at the .500 mark on Sept. 8 -- have taken 17 of the past 18 games between the clubs since July 28, 2019.
The Yankees' 10-game win streak overall matches their longest since June 2012. During this run, the Bronx Bombers have hit 29 home runs and outscored opponents 85-25.
At 31-21, the Yankees clinched their 28th consecutive winning record since 1993, the second-longest stretch in MLB history, behind only their own streak of 39 straight winning seasons from 1926 to 1964. The Yankees' magic number to clinch a postseason berth now stands at one.
Playing the last-place Red Sox hasn't hurt matters.
"It's probably a little bit fluky, a little aberration," said manager Aaron Boone when addressing the franchise's record-tying streak versus Boston. "Obviously, [the Red Sox] haven't quite been the same team this year with some of the guys they've lost and some of the guys in their pitching staff that they've lost due to injury.
"And this year, I know we've played them at some times when we've been playing really well. We've stolen a couple wins from them, like late last night. Last year, we caught them at a good time at the end of the year. Look, it's always fun beating those guys. We obviously respect who they are and all the great games we've had to play against them, but ... enjoy it while it lasts."
The Yankees' win streak against Boston is their longest since taking 12 straight from Aug. 16, 1952, to April 23, 1953. It's the third time in franchise history the Yankees have won 12 consecutive games against the Red Sox, with the other being from May 27 to Aug. 23, 1936.
J.A. Happ, who worked eight scoreless innings to earn his second win of the season, said the Yankees were mindful of the winning streak and hoped to set another record on Sunday when they play their last game of the season at Fenway Park.
"I know we have a good team and we're playing well," Happ said. "We are aware of that number [12 straight], excited to get out there tomorrow and try to take the nod [set the record] there. We recognized it tonight that we could tie it."
New York outfielder Clint Frazier agreed.
"We're focused on trying to put ourselves in a really good position for the playoffs," said Frazier, who went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs on Saturday. "And winning [Sunday] would set the record -- and that's going to be a really cool thing if we do."