The Boston Red Sox (35-35) host the New York Yankees (39-31) at Fenway Park on Sunday in a doubleheader with the home team looking to sweep the four-game series.
The Red Sox lead the series 1-0 after winning 15-5 on Friday, their third head-to-head victory in four games this season. Joe Jacques got the win with two innings out of the bullpen.
Justin Turner went 3 for 5 with two home runs and a double in the win. He scored three runs and drove in six. Masataka Yoshida went 4 for 4 with two doubles, one run, and three RBIs. Josh Donaldson was 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the Yankees.
ON THE MOUND
Luis Severino (0-1, 6.48 ERA) is in line to start for New York in the first game of the doubleheader. The RHP allowed six runs (five earned) over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 7-6 home win over the Mets on Tuesday.
He gave up seven hits while striking out four and walking three in the no-decision. Severino is making his first appearance against the Red Sox this season.
Severino made one start against the Red Sox in 2022, a 4-2 home victory on April 9. He surrendered two runs on five hits over three innings, striking out five.
Lefty James Paxton (2-1, 3.09 ERA) will toe the rubber for Boston. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Yankees. In his last start on Monday, Paxton took a no-decision at home against the Rockies. He threw six innings and gave up one run (0 ER) on four hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 4-3 loss.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, New York has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.6. Against lefties like Paxton this season, the Yanks have a .726 OPS, second highest in the league.
Anthony Rizzo is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .974 OPS in 47 at-bats. Boston is averaging 6.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 5.0 for the season, with a better slash line (.294/.352/.492).
The Sox have a .753 OPS against righties in 2023, the highest in the league. With a .520 SLG over 177 at-bats, Yoshida has been their best power hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 18-14 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. Boston has gone 19-18 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 5.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.3.
In the last 10 games at Fenway Park between the bitter rivals, each club has won five, though Boston has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.9-5.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Yankees are third in the AL East, 10 games behind the division-leading Rays. The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 14 games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Boston Red Sox (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
