Rick Porcello (4-0, 3.51 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (13-10) go up against Michael Pineda (1-2, 6.95 ERA) and the New York Yankees (8-13) in the second of a three-game division series at Fenway Park. The Red Sox won the last game 4-2, and Boston leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 30 and will air on NESN, WPIX and MLBN.
In his most recent outing, Porcello pitched 6.1 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out six and walking two in a 1-0 victory over the Braves. David Ortiz (.307, 11 Rs, 4 HRs, 18 RBIs, 1 SB) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. The Yankees were unsuccessful against the Rays 8-1 the last time Pineda pitched. He went 5.0 innings, giving up seven runs, striking out nine and walking one. Starlin Castro (.304, 4 Rs, 3 HRs, 12 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Yankees, going 2 for 3 yesterday.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Against teams in the AL East, the Red Sox have a SU record of 3-4. The Red Sox have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire AL, averaging 0.0 runs per game. The Red Sox have the second-top batting average in the league at .277. They have been a terror on the base paths, leading all of baseball with 20 steals. Boston’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average.
Against teams in their division, the Yankees are 7-7 SU. During the last 10 games, they averaged 0.0 runs per game, above their 0.0 season average. The Yankees have racked up 17 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the New York pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0. They also allow just 2.1 walks per game, best in the AL.
So far this season, the Red Sox are 1-0 against the Yankees.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS
Notes
New York has won 50% (5-5) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Boston has won 64% (7-4) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Yankees are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The Red Sox have a record of 5-2 when opponents’ pitchers have six strikeouts or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Red Sox are 12-2. The Yankees have an 8-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 29th in runs, New York has earned 74 this season. Boston ranks sixth with 118 runs.
Ranking 17th, New York is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 70 this season. Boston ranks in the top half at 13th with 73.
When the Red Sox hit at least one home run, they are 8-5. When the Yankees hit at least one homer, they have an 8-7 record.
