The New York Yankees (45-39, -$138) will close out a three game set and the first half of the season in Boston, taking on the Red Sox (41-45, -$1,044) as the sports’ best rivalry is rekindled.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Yankees have won the last four games between these teams, including three at Fenway, but the Sox are the ones streaking, having won four straight and eight of ten to get back into the race.
New York went on a streak earlier in the year, but has been unable to find consistency of late in dropping five of their last nine.
Boston is currently five games in back of New York, but things even out when you consider this game is at Fenway. The Red Sox are an even 21-21 at home while the Yankees are just 21-23 on the road.
PITCHING MATCHUP
To close out the first half on Sunday, Nathan Eovaldi will get the ball for the Yankees and southpaw Wade Miley takes the bump for Boston.
Eovaldi is a very intriguing pitcher for New York. The 25-year old right-hander is the youngster starter in the rotation and has, arguably, the best stuff. His fastball averages out around 97 miles per hour, but location is a bit of an issue as he is allowing 11.2 hits per nine innings, leading to a 1.527 WHIP.
With an inflated WHIP comes an inflated ERA as the more runners reach, the more score. His 2015 ERA is 4.45 over his 93 innings of work.
Despite the runs allowed, Eovaldi is 8-2 on the year thanks to amazing run support though an eight run outing where he failed to get out of the first skews his ERA a bit.
Over his last four starts, he’s allowed two runs or fewer in each. Pitch count has been an issue in that span as he has only thrown 22 1/3 innings.
On the other side, Miley also has eight wins, though his 8-7 record is far less impressive.
The 28-year old lefty settled in to pitch very well in May and June after a terrible April, with a 3.41 ERA in that time. In his last two starts, he’s allowed seven runs in 11 2/3 innings thanks to 14 hits and nine walks.
Overall, Miley has a 4.50 ERA and 1.438 WHIP in 96 innings with 3.5 walks per nine innings and just 1.92 strikeouts per walk.
QUOTE TO NOTE
The Yankees won their last game, on Wednesday, due to the long ball and manager Joe Girardi noted how important a part of their game power really is, saying:
“I think that’s a bit part of our game, and that’s how we’re going to win games—by hitting the ball out of our ballpark. And we’re designed to do that here. That’s what we’re made up to do.”
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
With a 10-19 record in May, the BoSox buried themselves at the bottom of the AL East and many had written them off. They, however, are playing better ball of late thanks to their offense as much as anything.
The team slumped in May, but still ranks ninth in runs scored. They miss Dustin Pedroia (.819 OPS) who is on the disabled list, but Hanley Ramirez has heated back up with a .273 average and five home runs in his last 17 games.
Overall, Ramirez is hitting .272 with a 18 home runs and 43 RBIs. David Ortiz is finally getting the bat going, too. He has a .939 OPS in his last 25 games. He continues to struggle against left-handed pitching though.
While all the vets—outside of Mike Napoli (.192 average)—are playing better, it’s the kids that are really impressing. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts is hitting .304 with a .340 OBP and center fielder Mookie Betts is hitting .276, but is batting .379 with a .417 OBP in his last 23 games.
The team still has some holes with Ryan Hanigan and Sandy Leon behind the plate and no real answer for Napoli at first.
For the Yankees, they have a weak spot, too, with Stephen Drew (.179 average) still the primary second baseman. Even so, Drew does have 12 home runs and the rest of the lineup has combined to rank third in baseball in runs scored (387). They’re also third in homers with 110, 28 more than Boston.
The Yankees offense is now even better with Jacoby Ellsbury back, sliding Brett Gardner back over to left field and into the second hole in the order. The duo are great table setters for the big bats in the middle with Alex Rodriguez (.880 OPS) and Mark Teixeira (.902 OPS) doing a great deal of damage.
PROP TALK
With Ellsbury returning, a lot of attention is put on his impact atop the order, but Brett Gardner has been a great fill in at center and leading off. He slides down to the second spot and should continue to produce.
The outfielder has found success against Miley in his career going 4 for 9 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs. On the year, he is hitting .298 with a .378 OBP and having Ellsbury on in front of him and A-Rod and Tex behind him should only improve the pitches he gets.
Of course, if you want just one player to take in prop bets on Sunday, Pablo Sandoval is your guy. The BoSox’ third baseman has been mediocre this year, but has absolutely owned Eovaldi in going 12 for 17 against him with three doubles and driving in 10 runs.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Yankees have Ellsbury back which makes a huge difference on offense. They also have Andrew Miller (1.65 ERA) back in the pen. Miller gave up a two-run shot in his first game back, but got the save over the A’s. With him and Dellin Betances (1.61 ERA) to lock down the last two innings, the game is shortened, which is huge for a game started by Eovaldi who has issues going deep.
Given the returning players, Miley’s struggles in his last two starts and the Yankees’ sweep of Boston at Fenway earlier this year, put your money on the Bronx Bombers in this series and first half finale.
New York 5, Boston 4
BookMaker will be the first online sportsbook to send out the baseball odds for this marquee matchup. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem, BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet, click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The ballgame between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will take place Sunday, July 12, 2015, at 1:35 p.m. ET at Fenway Park. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TBS.
