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It's the Sunday night baseball game of the week as the Boston Red Sox takes on the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Red Sox-Yankees prediction and pick.
The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 4-2 on Saturday to improve to 2-0. Luis Severino lasted three innings, giving up two earned runs. However, the Yankees' bullpen tossed six scoreless innings to shut down the Red Sox. Chad Green, Clay Holmes, and closer Aroldis Chapman all pitched an inning and did not allow a hit as they shut the door on any potential comeback. Conversely, Nick Pivetta allowed four earned runs on four hits, with all the runs coming off home runs.
Boston jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second inning when Alex Verdugo blasted a two-run shot to deep right field. That put the Red Sox up 2-0. Nevertheless, the Yankees rallied back in the fourth inning. Moreover, Anthony Rizzo slugged a towering shot to deep right field to tie the game for his second home run in two games. Then, Giancarlo Stanton took an 0-1 pitch from Pivetta deep to left field for his second home run in the series. Additionally, Rizzo and Stanton have combined for four home runs and seven RBIs after two games. On the other end, Boston hitters struggled. Kike Hernandez went 0 for 5, and Xander Bogaerts was hitless in three at-bats with a walk. Lastly, Rafael Devers mustered one hit in four at-bats.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Red Sox-Yankees MLB odds:
MLB Odds: Red Sox-Yankees Odds
Red Sox: +1.5 (-154)
Yankees: -1.5 (+128)
Over: 8.5 (-122)
Under: 8.5 (+100)
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Why The Red Sox Could Cover The Spread
Boston will send Tanner Houck to pitch in front of the bright lights. Consequently, Houck has had success in limited appearances against New York. In his first career start against the Yankees, he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Also, he earned a save against the Yankees last season. Houck has a 1.86 ERA in his career against the Yankees, striking their hitters out 20 times in 19 1/3 innings. His first job is to contain Rizzo and Stanton. Additionally, he needs to beat Aaron Judge. However, he also needs run support.
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The Red Sox are hitting .194 collectively as a team. Thus, they are 23rd in the majors in hitting. Devers, Hernandez, and Bogaerts must make contact to give the Sox a chance against the Yankees. In addition to that, they must take out Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery early.
In conclusion, the Red Sox will cover the spread if Houck continues his mastery of the Yankees. Also, Boston must push Montgomery, and their bats need to wake up. If the Red Sox can accomplish this, they can quiet the feverish crowd in New York and win the game.
Why The Yankees Could Cover The Spread
New York has won both games behind masterful pitching and opportune hitting at the plate. Specifically, they are second in the majors in home runs. The bullpen was spectacular in yesterday's 4-2 victory. Now, the New York bullpen looks to continue the trend. They will back up starter Montgomery.
Montgomery faced the Red Sox five times in 2021. He went 0-2 in those five starts. However, Montgomery did not allow more than three earned runs in any of his starts. He held Boston scoreless in 5 2/3 innings in a game where the bullpen lost the lead for him. He is 1-2 in 11 career starts against the Red Sox with a 3.72 ERA and 50 strikeouts. Moreover, Montgomery has pitched well enough to keep the Yanks in the game whenever the two rivals have met. He will succeed if he locates the zone and his offense backs him up. Likewise, Judge must step up. So far, Judge is hitting 2.50 and has yet to garner a home run or RBI.
The Yankees will cover the spread if Montgomery gives them a quality start. Additionally, Stanton, Judge, and Rizzo must make contact to push the Yankees toward the three-game sweep. Lastly, their bullpen needs to continue to excel, especially if they have to work a lot as they did on Saturday.
Final Red Sox-Yankees Prediction & Pick
This will be a spectacular Sunday night game. However, there is an eerie feeling that the Yankees are due for a letdown. Their wins have not been dominant, and they are sending Montgomery on the mound. Likewise, Boston will go with Houck, who has not failed yet against New York. The Red Sox cover the spread on Sunday night, possibly even stealing the victory.
Final Red Sox-Yankees Prediction & Pick: Red Sox: +1.5 (-154)
