The New York Yankees (86-67) open their final regular-season series against the bitter rival Boston Red Sox (88-65) Friday, as both teams battle for AL Wild Card spots. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at Fenway Park. Let’s analyze the lines around the Yankees vs. Red Sox odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Yankees RHP Gerrit Cole (15-8, 3.03 ERA) makes his 29th start of the season. He has a 1.03 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and an American League-leading 12.3 K/9 through 169 1/3 IP.
- Allowed 7 earned runs over 5 2/3 innings Sept. 19 against the Cleveland Indians, but was 5-1 with a 1.35 ERA through 33 1/3 innings across his previous six outings.
- Is 1-2 with a 5.06 ERA over three starts against the Red Sox, and lost both starts at Fenway Park.
Red Sox RHP Nathan Eovaldi (10-8, 3.58 ERA) makes his 31st start. He has a 1.17 WHIP, a league-low 1.7 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 through 173 2/3 IP.
- Has not had a decision since an Aug. 17 road loss to the Yankees, but the Red Sox have won his last six starts. They are 18-12 when he takes the mound this year.
- He is 2-1 with a 2.01 ERA with a 34/2 K/BB over 31 1/3 innings through five starts against the Yankees.
Yankees at Red Sox odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:12 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Yankees -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Red Sox +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Yankees -1.5 (+130) | Red Sox +1.5 (-160)
- Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
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Prediction
Red Sox 5, Yankees 3
Money line (ML)
The Red Sox are 10-6 against the Yankees this season but have lost four of their last five games against them. New York has just one win through seven games this season at Fenway.
Both teams are playing well right now. The Yankees have won seven of their last 10 games, while the Red Sox, who lead the Yankees by two games in the wild-card race, have won seven in a row.
With Eovaldi’s dominance over the Yankees this season and how Boston has played with him on the mound, combined with Cole’s struggles against Boston, take the RED SOX (+100).
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The Red Sox are 81-72 ATS this season, exactly 10 more wins and 10 fewer losses than the Yankees’ 71-82 ATS record.
This is only the 14th time all year that the Red Sox have been underdogs at home, and they are 8-5 ATS the previous 13 times. The Yankees are 38-36 ATS on the road but 22-32 ATS as road favorites.
Both teams have covered the spread in eight of the 16 games against each other.
Expecting a Boston outright win tonight, if you want some extra leeway for them, take the RED SOX +1.5 (-160).
Over/Under (O/U)
10 of the Yankees’ last 15 games had totals of 9 or more runs, while seven of the Red Sox’s last eight have reached that total.
Four of Eovaldi’s last six starts had totals of 9 or more runs.
However, 10 of the 16 games between the clubs stayed under 9 runs.
Take UNDER 8.5 (+105).
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