For more than a century, one of the greatest rivalries in baseball has been between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. Hall of Famers like Yogi Berra, Carlton Fisk, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Carl Yastrzemski have all suited up for their team with one goal in mind: Defeating their hated opponent.

But besides the players constantly trying to "one-up" their adversary, even the general managers are competing against one another as after New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman announced that top prospect Luis Severino would make his Major League debut on Wednesday against Boston, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington decided to recall his second ranked pitching prospect Henry Owens for his first opportunity in the Big Leagues on Tuesday. 

Adding to the drama?

Owens, who was selected with the 36th overall pick (Complement A) in the 2011 MLB Draft by Boston, immediately started rising through the system thanks to a 12-5 record and 130 strikeouts in 101 2/3 innings during his first professional campaign with Greenville (Single-A). Although his ERA from the season was at the high mark of 4.87, the organization overlooked the statistic and promoted their prized pitcher to Salem (Single-A Advanced) to begin year two.

In the South Atlantic League, Owens was a completely new pitcher as he allowed 21 fewer runs in three more innings! In addition, the SAL All-Star posted an 8-5 record and 123 whiffs, resulting in a chance to make his Double-A debut at the age of 21. And he would not disappoint as he fanned a career-high eleven in six shutout innings against the Bowie Baysox. Was it a fluke? No way, as thirteen days later the southpaw struck out ten in five innings of no run ball versus Harrisburg.

Despite his quick mastering of the Eastern League, the high school product saw himself back in Portland (Double-A) the next season (2014) and pitched with a determination to get to the next level. Owens would end up going 14-4 with a 2.60 ERA, 126 strikeouts (in 121 innings), and three complete games with the Sea Dogs, which earned himself a selection to the 2014 All-Star Futures Game in Minneapolis before moving one phone call away from the Red Sox summoning him.

Just like his Double-A debut, Boston's fifth prospect was tremendous in his first performance as a Paw Sox and hurled six and 2/3 shutout frames with nine strikeouts against Francisco Lindor's Columbus Clippers. But his Triple-A debut aside, International League hitters figured out the lanky starter by plating three or more earned runs in his last four out of five starts to conclude the season.

Even though his struggles would re-emerge after surrendering one run in six and 1/3 innings (season debut), Owens has been very good in 2015 (3-8 record, 3.16 ERA, 103 SO, and .193 BA against), specifically in the month of July (2.84 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 31 2/3 IP), despite his overall record not suggesting it. As a matter of fact, MLB.com's 48th best prospect has allowed only one run in three of his losing decisions!

So with the understanding that run support is at a premium in Pawtucket (Triple-A), the 47-59 Boston Red Sox look for a future star to be born on Tuesday night as Henry Owens will make his Major League debut at Yankee Stadium.