Boston Red Sox vs
New York YankeesPredictions & Preview

Red Sox Set to Face Off Against Yankees at Yankee Stadium in First Game of Series, Chance to Take Series Lead

On Friday night, the Boston Red Sox (30-34) will face off against the New York Yankees (37-23) at Yankee Stadium in the first game of their three-game series. Walker Buehler will take the mound for the Red Sox, while Will Warren will pitch for the Yankees. Despite New York being favored in the betting lines, the Red Sox have a chance to take the series lead. Stay tuned to see which team comes out on top in this Red Sox vs. Yankees matchup. *Please note that this preview was written before Thursday's game.*

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Red Sox +150 | Yankees -170
• Spread: Red Sox +1.5 (-142) | Yankees -1.5 (+122)
• Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that New York will win straight-up is 63%.

Boston vs New York Stats

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox recently ended a two-game losing streak with a victory over the Angels, currently placing them third in the AL East behind Toronto and the division-leading Yankees. They will aim to close the gap with their rivals in an upcoming game on Friday. Boston's offense ranks seventh in the league with an average of 4.73 runs per game, a .254 batting average, and a .325 on-base percentage. Alex Bregman leads the team with a .299 batting average, while Wilyer Abreu has hit 13 home runs and Rafael Devers has 54 RBIs. Defensively, the Red Sox are allowing 4.53 runs per game, with opponents batting .254 against them. With a power ranking of 22, Boston is currently ranked 7th in offense, 23rd in defense, and holds a 30-34 record for the season.

New York Yankees Analysis

The New York Yankees had their two-game winning streak halted by Cleveland in the second game of their series, marking their first home loss in six games. Despite this setback, the Yankees remain atop the AL East standings with a 5.5-game lead over Tampa Bay. They aim to increase their division lead and take the series lead with a victory on Friday.

Offensively, the Yankees excel with an average of 5.37 runs per game, ranking third in the league. They also boast a .257 batting average (fourth) and a league-leading .342 on-base percentage. Aaron Judge has been a standout performer, leading the team in batting average, home runs, and RBI.

Defensively, New York is giving up 3.78 runs per game (ninth), with opponents hitting .218 against them, the best in the league. Despite a recent tough outing by Warren, where they suffered an 18-2 loss to the Dodgers, the Yankees maintain solid pitching stats with a 3.58 ERA (ninth) and a 1.19 WHIP (sixth).

Currently holding a power ranking of 3, the Yankees rank third in offense and ninth in defense. With an overall record of 38-23, they faced a 2-1 defeat in their last three matchups against Boston.

New York Yankees Dominate at Home as Boston Red Sox Struggle on the Road

The New York Yankees have demonstrated notable performance in their recent home games, securing victories in five out of their last six matchups, while the Boston Red Sox have faced challenges on the road, losing in eight of their last nine games. New York possesses a competitive advantage due to their proficiency in batting against right-handed pitchers, whereas Boston has struggled in this regard, impacting their offensive capabilities. Furthermore, the performance of Beuhler on the mound has been subpar, particularly in away games where he has allowed 10 runs in his last three starts. In contrast, Warren has showcased solid pitching at home, conceding only seven runs in his last three home starts. With New York's bullpen performing admirably, Boston's offensive capabilities are likely to be impeded. Therefore, it is recommended to consider New York as the favorable choice on the money line.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]