Yankees vs. Red Sox Prediction
The New York Yankees and host Boston Red Sox will renew their rivalry in the postseason for the first time in 14 years as Game 1 of the ALDS is tonight. Are Chris Sale and Boston a good bet to win by multiple runs?
Game Snapshot
905 New York Yankees at 906 Boston Red Sox
Fenway Park at 7:32PM ET
TV: TBS
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Red Sox are a -175 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Yankees are a +165 underdog, while the total is set at 7.5 runs. As of Friday morning, 56 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting New York. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest updates.
Judge powers Yankees to Wild Card win
Aaron Judge hit a 2-run home run in the bottom of the first inning Wednesday night to help lead host New York to a 7-2 victory over Oakland in the AL Wild Card Game. He ended the contest 2-for-3 with the home run, a double, a walk and two runs. Giancarlo Stanton went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and two runs. Luke Voit finished 1-for-4 with a 2-run triple. Miguel Andujar was 1-for-1 plus a walk. Dellin Betances picked up the win as he struck out three in two innings of relief.
J.A. Happ (17-6, 3.65 ERA) will start today’s game for New York.
Sale close to full strength
Boston ace lefty Sale has been ramping up his pitch counts over the last month after returning from a couple stints on the DL, throwing 4 2/3 innings and 92 pitches in his last start of the regular season on September 26 at home versus the Orioles. That should put him on track to throw around 100 pitches in tonight’s game. He is 12-4 on the season with a 2.11 ERA plus a 086 WHIP over 158 innings, striking out 237 batters. He is a favorite for the AL Cy Young Award. Offensively, the Red Sox are paced by leadoff hitter Mookie Betts as the MVP candidate posted an 8.7 OWAR from the leadoff spot. He had a 1.078 OPS during the regular season with 47 doubles, five triples and 32 home runs in 520 at-bats. Betts scored 129 runs and drove in 80. J.D. Martinez proved to be the best free agency signing in baseball as his 6.8 OWAR and 1.031 OPS was a huge reason why the Boston offense has been so potent. He registered 37 doubles, two triples and 43 home runs in 569 plate appearances. He scored 111 runs and drove in 130. Xander Bogaerts also had a huge season with a 5.6 OWAR as he contributed 45 doubles, three triples and 23 home runs. Bogaerts had an .883 OPS with 103 RBIs and 72 runs scored.
MLB Betting Trends
New York
The over is 10-1 in the last 11 Yankees games following a win. New York is 9-2 in Happ’s last 11 starts.
Boston
The over is 9-1-1 in the last 11 Red Sox games overall. Boston is 6-2 in the last eight home games versus New York.
Prediction:
Sale looks to be in good form and ready to dominate a strong but strikeout-happy Yankees lineup. What is a little worrisome is the Red Sox bullpen, which has been shaky, but their offense is always capable of making up for it. Boston has seen Happ plenty and I think it gets to him early and enough to where the runline is a good bet.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: BOSTON RED SOX RL +115