While the Yankees think they are in a playoff race with the Boston Red Sox, their top two minor league teams are actually gong up against the Red Sox top minor league teams in the playoffs. Both the Triple A playoff series between Scranton/Pawtucket plus the Double A series of Trenton/Portland are Yankee/Red Sox. Don’t be surprised if Staten Island Yankees and Lowell Spinners meet in the short season Class A playoffs, too.

In Double A, Trenton won the season series against Portland 13-8, but with the Red Sox organization being more aggressive than the Yankees in promoting young players, many of the players appearing for Portland in this playoff series have not had a full year experience vs Trenton. Players such as Lars Anderson, Argenis Diaz, Josh Reddick and Jorge Jiminez were called up to Portland in July and only have played the handful of games between the teams late in the season. Not including September callups, Boston has called up 16 different Pawtucket players this season, and the trickle up effect has hurt the Portland offense, which sent needed replacements to Triple A. In addition, Portland’s power hitting Bubba Bell has been on the disabled list since mid July.

While the Thunder took the season series, Phil Coke thoroughly dominated the Portland team allowing a total of two runs in his three full starts against the Sea Dogs. During his fourth start against Portland on July 25 is when Coke was pulled after 1 inning due to the potential trade with Pittsburgh. Coke had three K’s against the Sea Dogs in that one inning. But, Coke is now in the bullpen in the Bronx.

Jason Jones, the Game 3 starter has had good success this season against Portland going 3-1, but has has shaky outings his last couple starts.

Meanwhile, Trenton’s offense has basically been the same unit the entire season and has usually fared well against Portland’s starters. They have beaten Kris Johnson twice, Richardson and Gassner once each this season. Two Sea Dogs promoted to the parent club this season, Michael Bowden and Justin Masterson, have also been beaten by Trenton.

The big game is #2 when they go up against Clay Buchholz. His assignment to Portland was absolutely intended to have him pitch in this playoff series against the Thunder. The Red Sox understand the seriousness of this rivalry.

PREDICTION - The young Sea Dog lineup will not be able to produce many runs against the Thunder starting staff. The Thunder win in four games, losing Game 2 but beating up the Sea Dogs the other three.