Yankees vs. Red Sox Thursday Prediction
One of the best rivalries in baseball will be renewed on Thursday night when the Boston Red Sox host the New York Yankees at 7:10 p.m. ET. Has the betting total been set too high for Game 1 of the series?
Game Snapshot & Odds
969 New York Yankees (-105) at 970 Boston Red Sox (-115); 10 runs
Thursday, August 2, 2018
7:10 p.m. ET, Fenway Park
TV: NYY (YES); BOS (NESN)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Red Sox as a -115 favorite. As of this writing, 57% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Red Sox to beat the Yankees on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Yankees’ Sabathia allows two runs in 4 2/3 innings vs. Royals
CC Sabathia allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings during his start against the Royals on Saturday. He struck out eight batters against two walks and six base hits in the short outing. He was making his first start in nearly two weeks. He gave up a solo home run to catcher Salvador Perez in the third inning. Sabathia fell heavily on his knees and rolled a couple times while trying to field a grounder but was able to stay in the game. The 38-year-old’s record holds at 6-4 with a 3.53 ERA and 1.29 WHIP after 19 starts
Red Sox’ Johnson sharp in no-decision vs. Twins
Brian Johnson hurled 5 2/3 shutout innings Thursday in a no-decision against Minnesota. Johnson logged five strikeouts while issuing three walks. He also threw a wild pitch. Johnson barely made it through the first inning, yielding three hits (all singles) and a walk, though Jackie Bradley bailed him out by gunning down Joe Mauer at home plate. The left-hander settled down after that, allowing just one more hit the rest of the way. Johnson is expected to lose his rotation spot to the recently acquired Nathan Eovaldi, though he’ll probably be called on again at some point.
MLB Betting Trends
New York
The Yankees are 9-1 in Sabathia’s last 10 starts after scoring five runs or more in their previous game.
Boston
The Red Sox have won nine of Johnson’s last 11 starts.
Prediction:
Casual bettors see these two teams, want to bet on the game and are probably drawn to the over but I see plenty of value with the under tonight. In Sabathia’s last 16 starts versus the Red Sox, the under is 13-2-1. The under is also 20-6-3 in Sabathia’s last 29 road starts, is 39-16-3 in his last 58 outings overall, and is 36-13-2 in his last 51 starts when he faces the rest of the American League East. On the other side, the under is a perfect 6-0 in Johnson’s last six home starts and has cashed in four of his last five outings overall.
The Pick: Yankees/Red Sox under 10