The Boston Red Sox will enter September on a bit of a high note, as they are playing good baseball at the moment and are legitimately still within striking distance of a Wild Card spot in the American League. If they're going to stay alive though, games like Monday's against the red hot New York Yankees are pivotal to win.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Ivan Nova had his first really bad start of the season last week against the Astros, allowing seven hits and seven runs in just four innings. Control was a big problem for the righty, as he issued four walks against just one strikeout.
Keep a really close eye on Nova's control in this game. One could say that that seven-run outburst was really just a matter of things regulating themselves for Nova. He hadn't pitched all that well prior to that start, and his 4.50 ERA is probably where he should be at with a K/BB ratio of 39/23 in 62 innings of work.
Eduardo Rodriguez has been untouchable at home over the course of the last two months. Since the start of June, his ERA at Fenway Park has been just 2.41, and he has run up against some really good lineups, including that of these Yankees in that span.
The southpaw can still be inconsistent, but he is keeping his walks down. He hasn't issued a free pass in two straight starts, though the home run ball is still a problem. Live bettors have to know that the big fly can come at any time, as there is only one start since July 5 he has made without giving up a homer.
ADVANCED STATS
The Yankees have had games flying over the total of late. Four of their last five have exceeded the number due to the fact that either they or the team they have been playing against have scored at least 15 runs in three out of five games. The Yanks, in fact, just finished off a three-game set in Atlanta in which they scored 38 runs in three games.
However, if you go back and look at what the Bronx Bombers did in August, you can't be impressed, which is proof that live bettors need to temper their expectations.
Even with all of the explosions of runs, the Yankees still only have a -6.8 offensive rating per FanGraphs in August, and they are still only putting together a team OPS of .706 in that span and are batting .236.
TALKING BULLPENS
The Red Sox are one of four teams in the majors this year with a negative WAR in their bullpen. For the season, they are at a composite of -1.0, and it should be noted that that includes the now injured Koji Uehara, who had a good year in his own right.
In August, things have been even worse for the Boston relievers. They have combined to post a 6.40 ERA and a 5.29 FIP, and they have stranded a dreadful 67.8 percent of the runners they have seen get on base.
Needless to say, if it becomes apparent that Rodriguez isn't going to get through this game easily, it'll be high time to bet on the Yankees, because these Red Sox aren't going to get through more than an inning or two without allowing runs in relief.
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox is scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2015 at 7:10 p.m. ET at Fenway Park. The contest will be televised live on ESPN.
