The Red Sox and Yankees aren’t a rivalry. They are a reality show: Opposites Attack.
The venom between their fan bases is unhealthy. Even with Red Sox Nation no longer burdened by angst and emptiness, its followers can’t seem to find contentment unless they’re beating N.Y.
What makes this pairing so delicious is that both teams are good at the same time, and have been for the better part of 12 years.
“Both are so talented and deep,” ESPN analyst Orel Hershiser said. “If I was on either team, I would think I had a legitimate shot at beating the other team.”
It’s hard to pick against the Yankees this year. The Red Sox, however, copied the Yankees’ 2009 blueprint, strengthening their pitching and defense.
It sets up the Yankees to win the East and the Red Sox to win the championship. Just saying, that’s how it feels right now.
A look at key American League story lines coming out of spring training:
1. Are the Mariners the most overrated team ever?
Seattle’s brass has done a terrific job of rebuilding this team around guys who can catch and who can pitch. But the media bandwagon got a little too crowded this spring. Reminds me of 1987, when Sports Illustrated picked the Indians to win the World Series, slapping Joe Carter and Cory Snyder on the cover. How did that work out? Not so well.
2. Is it possible the Yankees will be even better?
Painful as it is to say, yes. It’s like the iPod becoming the iPad. If Joba Chamberlain can transition back to a relief role and center fielder Curtis Granderson hits lefties, they will be better than last year’s champions. Granderson has made great offensive adjustments this spring. History says their pitchers — Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte — will not be as sharp this October if they have another heavy workload.
3. Are the White Sox really the favorite in the Central?
When Minnesota lost closer Joe Nathan to injury, the White Sox received an EZ Pass to the playoffs. The keys are Jake Peavy and Alex Rios. If Peavy regains his slider, the White Sox will have another ace. If Rios can hit something besides his weight, the offense will become dynamic. If no replacement is found for Nathan, it will be a closer-by-committee to start the season.
4. Is Matsuzaka still a Red Sox?
It is a testament to Boston’s depth that Daisuke Matsuzaka won’t break camp with the team, and a lot of fans don’t know or couldn’t care less. Tim Wakefield, whose knuckleball is like a well-behaved butterfly, has been terrific this spring. And if Clay Buchholz fails, Matsuzaka could provide a life raft. Truth is, Boston’s Triple-J Ranch of starters — Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, John Lackey — can match up with anyone, softening concerns about the offense, specifically David Ortiz. That three-headed monster of starters is why the Red Sox should be better come playoff time than in the regular season.
5. What will happen to Texas manager Ron Washington?
The Rangers have playoff ambitions, not an appetite for distractions. So, if the Rangers stutter-step out of the gate, Washington could be the first manager canned. Management will have no tolerance for drug use — Washington admitted to using cocaine last summer — or losing. Either the Rangers are a Disney story, reaching the playoffs in the midst of turmoil, or failing, creating a wave of pink slips from ownership.
Breaking down the AL
The Post’s Troy E. Renck looks at the junior curcuit; teams listed in predicted order of division:
East
There is a growing buzz inside baseball about divisional realignment. The AL East is why. Nobody wants to be in the same division as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Why? No one can spend like them. The Yankees are back, as champions, with puffed-out chests, with only Tampa Bay having a shot to disrupt the natural order of the Yankees-Red Sox.
Yankees: Curtis Granderson’s rebound against lefties will make New York’s lineup even more dangerous.
Red Sox: Will David Ortiz hit enough to ease concerns about offense?
Rays: Spring struggles of David Price and Wade Davis reason to worry.
Orioles: Catcher Matt Wieters should provide reason for future optimism.
Blue Jays: Life without Roy Halladay begins; left-hander Ricky Romero has look of a star.
Central
Call it karma. Or just plain evil. The Twins had arguably the best offseason of any team — adding Orlando Hudson, Jim Thome and Carl Pavano — then showed up to spring training and lost closer Joe Nathan for the year. His loss will be impossible to overcome, as Nathan has been as good as Mariano Rivera during the last six regular seasons.
White Sox: Starter Jake Peavy is healthy, happy and ready to rebound.
Tigers: Season will hinge on starter Rick Porcello’s development and closer Jose Valverde’s blood pressure.
Twins: Only chance of winning division is prying away a closer, namely San Diego’s Heath Bell.
Indians: Starter Fausto Carmona has apparently rediscovered the magic of his sinker.
Royals: Reasons to watch this team? Zack Greinke and Joakim Soria, that’s about it.
West
As much attention as the Rockies have received this spring, it pales to the media’s love affair with the Mariners. They are built around pitching and defense. That works — except their pitching isn’t nearly as good as everyone thinks after Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee.
Angels: Joel Piñeiro could match John Lackey’s production, at one-fourth the contract commitment.
Mariners: Felix is the King, but they are going to need a midseason boost from Erik Bedard to overtake Angels.
Rangers: This team mashes, which will lead to all-star berths but no playoff berth.
Athletics: Brett Anderson is a solid young left-hander that few people talk about beyond fantasy-league owners.
