The Boston Red Sox (31-32) and New York Yankees (37-27) open up a 3-game set Friday at Yankee Stadium. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Red Sox vs. Yankees odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Yankees won 13-6 last year
The Red Sox are flailing, losers of 5 of 6 to enter this rivalry weekend. They were defeated 10-3 by the Cleveland Guardians Thursday and are 3-7 in the last 10 games. The Red Sox are in last place in the AL East, 14 games behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
The Yankees split a doubleheader with the Chicago White Sox Thursday after air quality impacted their series. They won the nightcap 3-0 after dropping the 1st game 6-5. New York is 6-4 in the last 10 and sits in 3rd place in the division, 8 1/2 games out.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Red Sox at Yankees projected starters
RHP Garrett Whitlock vs. RHP Gerrit Cole
Whitlock (2-2, 5.61 ERA) makes his 6th start of 2023. He has a 1.29 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 in 25 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K Saturday against the Rays
- In 12 career relief outings against the Yankees, he’s 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA, 0.61 WHIP and 13.0 K/9 over 18 innings
Cole (7-0, 2.82 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.13 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 79 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers
- In 15 career starts vs. Boston, he’s 7-3 with a 4.40 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 11.3 K/9 over 88 IP
Red Sox at Yankees odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:25 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Red Sox +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Yankees -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Red Sox +1.5 (-160) | Yankees -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
Red Sox at Yankees picks and predictions
Prediction
Yankees 4, Red Sox 3
Moneyline
Cole had a little trouble with Boston last year, despite going 2-0 in 5 starts, as he had a 5.59 ERA and allowed 9 HRs in 29 IP. His stuff was still there with 40 K’s and a 1.04 WHIP. His K-rate is the lowest in 5 years, and his walk rate is a career worst, but he’s still finding ways to navigate it. He’ll need to because the Yankees aren’t scoring as many runs with OF Aaron Judge out. They have just 24 runs in the last 7 games.
However, they should have enough to hold off the struggling Red Sox. Take the YANKEES -155.
Run line/Against the spread
We’re projecting Boston to keep it within 1, but it’s not a strong enough feel considering they’ve lost 4 of 5, and all of those L’s were by 2 or more.
Instead, I’m going with GERRIT COLE UNDER 6.5 K’S (+100). Boston is the 6th-toughest to strike out at 7.97 K’s/game.
And we touched on Cole’s diminished K-rate. He has reached 7 K’s in 2 of his last 7 starts.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
It’s 67 degrees with a 6-mph wind coming in from right-center. The Under is 5-1 in Boston’s last 6 against teams over .500. We touched on the Yankees’ issues scoring runs without Judge. Boston has scored 15 runs in the last 6 games.
Take the UNDER 8 (-110).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]