Boston Red Sox (55-27) @ New York Yankees (29-11)

New York Yankees -122

Run Total – 9.5

The Red Sox and Yankees meet for their third three game series of the season.  The head-to-head record between these two teams sits at 3-3 with both teams winning their home series 2-to-1.  Boston comes into this weekend series with a one game lead in the division over New York, but they have played four more games than the Yankees this season.

Team Stats

Boston Red Sox

  • Boston ranks 12th (105) in runs scored against left-handed pitching this season.
  • Boston ranks 8th (.257) in team batting average against left-handed pitching.
  • Boston ranks 15th (.730) in team OPS against left-handed pitching.
  • Boston has struck out the 10th fewest times against left-handed pitching this season.

Players to Watch

  • Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodríguez tossed allowed just one hit while striking out eight over five innings during his lone start against the Yankees this season.  During the month of June ERod has a 3.80 ERA while striking out 20 over 21.1 innings.
  • Mookie Betts is 10-for-24 with two doubles in his career vs Yankees southpaw CC Sabathia .  Betts is hitting .367 with an OPS of 1.227 against left-handed pitching this season.
  • J.D. Martínez is hitting .440 with three home runs and nine RBI over the last seven days.  He is just 2-for-10 in his career against CC Sabathia but is hitting .338 with a .917 OPS against southpaws this season.
  • The Red Sox traded for first basemen Steve Pearce on Thursday night.  Pearce is 9-for-33 with two doubles and two home runs in his career off CC Sabathia .  Pearce is hitting .306 with an OPS of .889 against left-handed pitching this season.

Team Stats

New York Yankees

  • Yankees rank 16th (96) in runs scored off left-handed pitching this season.
  • Yankees rank second (37) in home runs off left-handed pitching this season.
  • Yankees rank 11th (.255) in team batting average against left-handed pitching this season.
  • Yankees rank second (.813) in team OPS against left-handed pitching this season.
  • Yankees own a 23% strike out rate against left-handed pitching this season.

Players to Watch

  • Yankees starter CC Sabathia allowed four runs on nine hits over four innings during his lone start against the Red Sox this season.  He is having an impressive month of June, posing a 2.10 ERA while striking out 23 over 25.2 innings.
  • Aaron Hicks is 3-for-10 with a double in his career vs Eduardo Rodríguez .  He is hitting .262 with an OPS of .876 against southpaws this season.
  • Aaron Judge is 0-for-4 with four walks in his career vs ERod.  He has struggled against lefties this season, hitting just .237 with an OPS of .855.
  • Giancarlo Stanton is 1-for-2 in his career vs ERod.  He is hitting .306 with eight home runs during the month of June.  He is hitting .351 with an OPS of 1.220 against southpaws this season.
  • Gleyber Torres is hitting .321 with an OSP of .976 against southpaws this season.  Torres is struggling right now, hitting just .230 during the month of June.

Pre-Game Props

Q1. Either team scores in the 1st inning.

I am going with a YES for this question.  I think both teams put up runs during the first inning as I am expecting Game 1 to be a high scoring contest.

Q2. Which team records more plate appearances in the 1st inning?

I am going with the Red Sox as sending more men to the plate in the 1st inning.  The top/middle of that lineup is rolling right now and the addition of Steve Pearce to the lineup gives the Sox some additional depth.

Q3. Both teams combine for three or more base hits in the 1st inning.

Yes, I am expecting both teams to have some success tonight early and often.

Q4. A Boston batter makes contact with three or more pitches in the 1st inning.

I am reading this as in a single at bat a Boston batter will make contact with three or more pitches and therefore I assume we are going with some foul balls.  I am going to go with NO here.  I don’t think there will be that many foul balls.

Q5. A Boston base runner reaches scoring position in the 1st inning.

Yes, I think the Red Sox score in the 1st inning so I will be going with a batter will reach scoring position.

Q6. CC Sabathia throws 15 or fewer pitches in the 1st inning.

I am going NO here as I think Sabathia will face at least five batters in the first inning of this game.

Q7. Mookie Betts takes the first pitch for a called strike?

I am going with a NO as Betts is an aggressive hitter that likes to swing at the first pitch.  I can see that happening here tonight.

 

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