The Red Sox are the only team that can deliver the thrill of a sweep over the Yankees and, within hours, the gut punch of an unexpected Rafael Devers trade.

BOSTON — The Yankees had a chance to bury the Red Sox in the standings this month, facing their division rival in back-to-back weeks. They had a 9 1/2-game lead on the Red Sox on June 5, the day before their series at Yankee Stadium last week.

Faced with the prospect of helping his team sweep their archrivals Sunday at Fenway, Red Sox starter Brayan Bello threw out his usual plan of attack and was rewarded with his best start of the season.

BOSTON — With Giancarlo Stanton not expected at Fenway Park this weekend, Aaron Boone said the Yankees are targeting their upcoming series against the Angels for the slugger’s 2025 debut. “I expect him, in some way, shape or form, in the Angels series, to be in play,” Boone said Saturday.

First, he said last weekend that he’d rather retire than pitch for the Yankees because his father was drafted by New York twice before being traded.

Stanton’s return from tennis elbow in both arms is imminent. If all goes according to plan, the designated hitter could be back in the Yankees’ lineup as early as Monday evening at Yankee Stadium.

New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez appeared to have gotten caught napping on the basepaths against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.