Red Sox vs Yankees Betting Preview & Analysis
Mother Nature Pushes Opener Between Bitter Rivals to Friday
Red Sox vs Yankees: Rivalry Renewed
The first victory of the Major League Baseball season can be credited to Mother Nature.
The Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees showdown was supposed to be one of the top games on the first day of the season. However, with an off-day already built in and Thursday’s weather forecast not looking great, the decision was made to push the opener of the Red Sox vs Yankees series to Friday afternoon.
The starting pitching matchup for the opener hasn’t changed, with Nathan Eovaldi getting the ball for the Red Sox and American League Cy Young favorite Gerrit Cole set to be the starter for the Yankees.
The Yankees are second behind Toronto in the AL East predictions followed by Tampa Bay and Boston.
Keep on reading for more information to help with the baseball betting tips when Boston travels to New York for a three-game series.
Game Information
2021 team records: Boston (92-70, tied for second in AL East Division); New York 92-70 (tied for second in AL East)
Dates: Three-game series starts Friday, 1:05 p.m. ET
Television: Friday, MLB Network. Saturday’s game is on FS1 and Sunday’s series finale is on ESPN.
Location: Yankee Stadium
Red Sox Ready to Tell Different Story
The biggest move for the Red Sox was acquiring veteran infielder Trevor Story, who hit at least 24 homers in each of his five full MLB seasons. Perhaps the power numbers were aided by playing in the altitude while with the Colorado Rockies, but he adds a proven contributor to the lineup.
The infield of MVP candidate Rafael Devers, Story, Xander Bogaerts and Bobby Dalbec should put up some numbers.
Outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is back after playing in Milwaukee during the 2021 season. J.D. Martinez, Enrique Hernandez and Alex Verdugo are other outfielders, so the offense is not the issue. There are pitching concerns, especially with yet another injury to Chris Sale.
Yankees Tweak Lineup
The New York Yankees can launch tape-measure homers as well as any other team, but defensive issues and consistency throughout the lineup needed to be addressed. Kyle Higashioka will be the No. 1 catcher while Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Faleta were picked up in a trade that sent Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez to Minnesota.
With Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo on board, there will not be a power shortage for the Yankees.
Like the Red Sox, long-term injuries to key pitchers are a cause for concern. Opening Day starter Cole wasn’t clicking on all cylinders in the spring, but the hope is he turns it on during the regular season.
The Yankees should be contenders according to the MLB odds and predictions.
Who’s Hot
Aroldis Chapman, New York P: The reliever didn’t allow a run in four Grapefruit League appearances with two hits allowed and six strikeouts in four innings.
Rafael Devers, Boston IF: Had six homers, drove in 12 runs and hit .370 during the spring.
Kyle Higashioka, New York C: The Yankees knew that the defense behind the plate would improve with Higashioka becoming the every-day catcher, but having Higashioka hit seven homers in the spring was a pleasant surprise.
Nick Pivetta, Boston P: Struck out 22 batters in four starts during the spring, although he also allowed five homers
Who’s Not
Jonathan Arauz, Boston IF: Hit .206 with two extra-base hits with 34 at-bats in the Grapefruit League.
Rich Hill, Boston P: The 42-year-old lefty allowed 14 hits in 8.2 innings during the spring.
Ender Inciarte, New York OF: Inciarte was 4-for-25 at the plate in nine Grapefruit League contests.
Luis Severino, New York P: An 8.22 ERA during the spring is not what Yankee fans wanted to see from the former 19-game winner, who has two wins in the last two seasons.
Injury Report
Boston pitcher Chris Sale begins the season on the 60-day injured list, as does fellow pitcher James Paxton. Reliever Josh Taylor is considered day-to-day but is not expected to be ready for the opener in the Red Sox vs. Yankees series.
Pitchers Domingo German and Zack Britton will begin the season on the 60-day injured list for the Yankees.
Red Sox vs Yankees Probable Starting Pitchers
Friday: RH Nathan Eovaldi (Boston) vs. RH Gerrit Cole (New York)
Saturday: RH Nick Pivetta (Boston) vs. TBA
Sunday: RH Tanner Houck (Boston) vs. RH Luis Severino (New York).
Red Sox vs. Yankees Betting Guide
The total has gone over in eight of Boston’s last nine games and in four of the last six contests on the road.
The MLB betting lines total have gone under in four of the Yankees’ last six games at home.
Eight of the last 11 contests between the Red Sox and Yankees have gone under the total.
New York won six games in a row in the Red Sox vs Yankees series, outscoring them 31-14, but Boston got revenge with a 6-2 win in the postseason to eliminate the Yankees.
Each of the last seven games between the rivals has been decided by at least two runs, with the road team winning three of the last four, which is something to consider when looking at the MLB betting odds.
