The New York Yankees (+115), one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league, are set to host the Boston Red Sox (-135) at Yankee Stadium on Thursday to open a four-game series. The early total was set at 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110).The Red Sox (72-76) are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They split their last series against the Reds, dropping the finale 5-1 on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park. Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with one run, stretching his on-base streak to 10 games. The Yankees (90-58) are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a two-game sweep of the Pirates, taking the finale 14-2 on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium for their third straight win. Gleyber Torres’ hitting streak hit 10 games as he went 3 for 4 with two home runs, four runs, and five RBIs. Oswaldo Cabrera added a home run and a double. He scored two runs and drove in five.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Yankees have won nine of 15 in the season series between the bitter rivals, including a 5-3 victory in their most recent meeting on September 14 at Fenway Park. Starter Nestor Cortes went five innings, giving up one run on three hits and striking out seven, to get the win, and Clay Holmes earned his 20th save.
ON THE MOUND
Michael Wacha (11-1, 2.61 ERA) is set to start for Boston. The right-hander allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 2-1 road win over the Royals on Friday. He gave up seven hits while striking out four in the no-decision. Wacha has made one previous start against the Yankees this season, a 3-0 home victory on August 14. He allowed two hits over seven scoreless innings, striking out nine and walking one. Righty Jameson Taillon (13-5, 4.04 ERA) takes the mound for New York. He has made three appearances against the Red Sox this season, all as the starter, giving up 10 runs over 18 innings (1-1, 5.00) with 12 strikeouts and one walk. In his last start on Saturday, Taillon took the loss on the road against the Brewers. He threw five innings and gave up four runs on four hits, striking out four and walking two in the 4-1 defeat. The RHP is tied for fifth in the AL in wins.
AT THE PLATE
The Boston offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .259/.321/.410. Devers leads the team in OPS at .882. The third baseman is slashing .293/.352/.530 with 27 home runs, 84 RBIs, and 78 runs over 129 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Taillon this season, the Sox have a .720 OPS. Devers also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .935 OPS in 372 at-bats. New York is slashing .241/.324/.429 for the season and averaging 5.1 runs per game, second best in MLB. Aaron Judge leads the team with a 1.126 OPS. The right fielder has 60 home runs, 128 RBIs, and 125 runs scored with a slash line of .317/.421/.705. New York is averaging 8.4 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.297/.366/.577). The Yanks have a .746 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a 1.164 OPS over 407 at-bats, Judge also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 35-39 away from Fenway Park in 2022, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. New York has won four in a row at their home ballpark. The Yanks are 52-22 at home this season, averaging 5.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.3. New York is 8-2 in the last 10 games at Yankee Stadium between the teams with an average scoreline of 6.5-2.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Yankees lead the AL East by six games over the Blue Jays. Their magic number in the division is eight. The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 18 games behind the Yankees.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
New York Yankees (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
