In a season of ups and downs, the Yankees have won six in-a-row and have swept the Boston Red Sox, setting themselves up nicely for the postseason.

If it is the Red Sox and Yankees in the wildcard game this October, we just witnessed what was a premiere preview. The Yankees entered the weekend one game behind Boston in the standings, and left leading the pack.

If not for Giancarlo Stanton, who had a monster series (7 for 12, 3 HR, 10 RBI), and Aaron Judge’s clutch hit late in game 3, the Yankees would be in a very difficult position. 

They were behind them by two games for the first wildcard, and needed a sweep to regain control. 

Aaron Boone, the team’s manager spoke about the team’s performance. “I think everyone in that room understands we haven’t done anything yet, but it’s fun to be in the fight with them and to be competing the way that they are.” 

An early lead with stellar pitching by Gerrit Cole was enough to make Game one a cakewalk.

An 8th-inning go-ahead grand slam by Giancarlo Stanton put the Yankees on top for good in game two of the series. 

In game three, Aaron Judge’s two-run double and another home run from Giancarlo Stanton was enough for New York to complete the sweep. They outscored the Red Sox 18-9 in the series.

It was the first three-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway Park by the Yankees since 2015.

Stanton became the first player in Yankees history to collect 10 RBI in a series at Fenway Park. The players behind him? Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Babe Ruth.

The Yankees will now travel to Canada for a massive series with the Toronto Blue Jays, who trail New York by two games in the standings.