The Boston Red Sox are set to take on the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the MLB Divisional Playoffs. The first pitch of the series is scheduled be thrown at 7:32 p.m. ET and this opening game will be televised on TBS.
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox Odds
In the regular season, the Red Sox are 108-54 straight up (SU) and 94-68 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 31.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 23.6 units (ATS). The Yankees are 101-62 SU and have gone 81-82 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 8.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 12.2 units ATS.
Neither team has been a strong over/under play this season. Boston games have a 77-77-8 over/under record in 2018. New York has an over/under record of 78-78-7.
Left-hander J.A. Happ will get the nod for the visiting Yankees. Happ (17-6, 3.65 ERA) has recorded 193 strikeouts in 177.2 innings so far. He’s 1-1 with 29 strikeouts and a 1.99 ERA against Boston this year (four starts).
The Red Sox are sending lefty Chris Sale (12-4, 2.11 ERA) to the hill. Sale has 237 strikeouts and 34 walks to his credit, as well as a 0.86 WHIP. Sale is 2-0 with 19 strikeouts and a 0.69 ERA over two starts against New York this year.
New York’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.03 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.23 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.38, along with a K/9 of 11.39.
The Yankees offense has slashed .249/.332/.452 on its way to 5.3 runs scored per game this season, including 5.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 8.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
New York’s offensive production has been powered by Miguel Andujar and Giancarlo Stanton. Andujar is slashing .298/.331/.528 with 27 home runs, 92 RBIs and 83 runs scored, while Stanton is hitting .266 with 39 homers, 101 RBIs and 104 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Boston’s pitching staff has allowed 4.0 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.77, a WHIP of 1.21 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.6. The bullpen has a 3.72 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 9.6 K/9. In 76 games against AL East foes, Red Sox starters have an ERA of 3.75 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.30.
Boston’s hitters are putting up 5.4 runs per outing, including 5.6 per game against divisional foes and 8.6 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .305/.390/.567 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that span.
J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts have paced the Red Sox batters this year. Martinez is hitting .330/.402/.629 with 43 home runs, 130 RBIs and 111 runs scored, and the line for Betts stands at .346/.438/.640 with 32 homers, 80 RBIs, 129 runs and 30 stolen bases.
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Yankees, O/U – OVER
