One of the best rivalries in sports has been rekindled this weekend as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have matched up for a four-game series. Unfortunately for the Yankees, it has not gone as planned as the Red Sox have taken the first three games, including a 4-1 win over the Yankees on Saturday. The Red Sox now lead the division by 8.5 games. The Yankees (68-41) will be looking to at least salvage the last game of the series as they travel to Fenway Park to take on the Red Sox (78-34) on Sunday. For the Yankees, they will be sending out righty Masahiro Tanaka (9-2, 3.84 ERA) to oppose the Red Sox lefty David Price (11-6, 3.97 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 pm ET.
The moneyline for Sunday night’s game is set at the New York Yankees +119 andthe Boston Red Sox -129. The over/under for runs scored is set at 9.
Yankees Looking To Turn Around August Lull
Only five days into the month, August has not been too kind to the Yankees. They are 0-4 in the month and will be looking to Masahiro Tanaka to snap their losing skid. On the season, Tanaka is 9-2 with a 3.84 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and opponents are hitting .216 against him. In 98.1 innings, he has 100 strikeouts and 25 walks, but he has also allowed 18 home runs. That home run count is the worse on the team and is not a good sign with the likes of AL home run leader J.D. Martinez on the Red Sox. Tanaka has been pretty good as of late, though. In his last two games, both wins, he has gone a combined 15 innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out 17.
Offensively, Giancarlo Stanton and Didi Gregorius have been leading the way over the last 30 days. In that time, Stanton is hitting .320/.355/.505 with a .860 OPS, 4 home runs, 15 runs batted in and 17 runs scored. Not to be outdone, Gregorius is batting .306/.352/.541 with a .893 OPS, 5 home runs, 20 runs batted in and 17 runs scored in that same time. Didi has also had some success against David Price in his career. In 30 at-bats against the southpaw, Gregorius is hitting .433 with a home run and 5 runs batted in.
Red Sox Looking To Stay Hot
The Boston Red Sox just continue to put up wins. At 78-34, they have the best record in all of baseball. Including the three wins over the Yankees, they are also 11-4 in their last 15 games. To keep the hot streak going, they will be turning to David Price. On the season, Price is 11-6 with a 3.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and opponents are hitting .245 against him. In 122.1 innings of work, he has 119 strikeouts, 36 walks, but like Tanaka, has also allowed 18 home runs. Also like Tanka, he has been really strong as of late. In his last 3 games, all won by the Red Sox, he has gone a combined 21 innings, allowing 4 earned runs and striking out 18.
On the offensive side, J.D. Martinez just continues to mash the ball. On the season, he is hitting .325/.392/.645 with a 1.037 OPS. He also has 33 home runs, 91 runs batted in and has scored 80 runs (he leads the team in both home runs and runs batted in). He has also hit off of Tanaka really well in his career. In 14 at bats, he is hitting .500 with 3 home runs and 7 runs batted in. Another player having a dominant season is Mookie Betts. The star outfielder is hitting .341/.425/.645 with a 1.070 OPS. He has 25 home runs, 57 runs batted in and has scored 87 runs (team high). Throw in Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts and others, and this is a very potent lineup.
Red Sox Finish The Sweep
One thing to remember about the Red Sox and Yankees is it always seems like anything can go when these two matchup. Despite that, I have to ride the hot hand on this one. Everything that the Red Sox do seems to end in wins for them. With the offense crushing the ball and the pitching staff remaining solid, I see no reason to bet against the Red Sox, particularly playing at home, where they are 41-15. Take the Red Sox in this one at -129.