Eduardo Rodriguez (7-5, 4.39 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (60-70) meet Ivan Nova (5-6, 4.50 ERA) and the New York Yankees (72-57) in the first of a three-game division series at Fenway Park. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 31 and will air on YES, NESN and ESPN.
In his last start, Rodriguez pitched 6.0 innings, allowing two runs (two unearned) and striking out one in an 8-6 loss to the Royals. David Ortiz (.264, 57 Rs, 28 HRs, 79 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. The Yankees were unsuccessful to the Astros 15-1 the last time Nova pitched. He went 4.0 innings, giving up seven runs, striking out one and walking four. Alex Rodriguez (.257, 69 Rs, 26 HRs, 71 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 1 yesterday with two RBIs.
Boston, a -125 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against New York. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is nine runs. The Red Sox are 33-39 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -1,362. They have not performed well against their division, earning an SU record of 20-30 and a 10-17 record when they were the favorite. The Red Sox lead the AL in hits at home with 10.1 per game. The most recent 10 game stretch for Boston’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, Boston’s opponents are averaging 3.6 runs per game, below their season average of 4.8.
Moving on to the away team, the Yankees come into this game with a win percentage of .481 when playing as the underdog (25-27) and an overall money line of +342. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 5-5 SU and have a poor 0-1 record when they were an underdog to win. They sport the second-ranked offense in the AL, averaging 4.9 runs per game. The Yankees average 3.3 walks per game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the AL.
The Yankees have mostly come out on top against the Red Sox in their previous 12 games this season, earning an 8-4 record. This game will feature Nova (RHP) on the mound against the Red Sox, who have a 45-49 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The left-handed Rodriguez will take the mound against the Yankees, who have a 22-14 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYY, O/U – Over
Notes
The Yankees won their last game by a 14-run margin. In games decided by a margin of 10 runs or more, the Red Sox are 4-4. The Yankees are 7-4 in blowouts this season.
The Red Sox are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Yankees have a 23-30 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 11-59. The Yankees have a 14-45 record when opponents outhit them.
Boston ranks in the top half of the league at 15th when it comes to home runs, hitting 126 this season. New York ranks in the top five at third with 171.
Ranking sixth, New York is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.72 per game. Boston ranks in the top five at third with 9.19.
Ranking sixth, Boston is in the top 10 of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.738). New York ranks in the top five at third with an OPS of .757.
When the Yankees allow at least one home run, they are 36-44. When the Red Sox allow one or more homers, they have a 30-57 record.
