The Red Sox were unable to complete their trade for Alex Rodriguez, but they did improve the starting rotation, sign a top-notch closer and keep a great offense largely intact. Will that be enough to break the six-year cycle of the AL East and finally get past the New York Yankees?

Ben talks to Alex Beth, who is filling in for Larry, about whether or not there’s any reason to be concerned about either the Yankees or the Red Sox this early in the season.

Ben and Larry are ready for the season to start, even if it is starting unfathomably early in the morning.

Back to the Grill Again (There it is: Black and White). Alex follows up with Howard Bryant, the author of “Shut Out: A Story of Race and Baseball in Boston.”

Ben and Larry take a look at what, if anything, could stop the Yankees and Red Sox from making the post-season, and wonder if the Wild Card is worth it.

Is it okay to like the Yankees? Will either the Yankees or Red Sox miss the playoffs? Ben and Larry face off on opposite ends of the most passionate rivalry in sports.