Yankees ML(-115(
Red Sox vs. Yankees Expert MLB Predictions and Odds Preview (Archive)
The Yankees return to the field after the All-Star Break still trying to figure out what type of team they are. New York won five of six, including two straight over the Astros, but any pre-Break momentum was lost after blowing a 7-2 lead in the ninth inning in the final first-half game. The Red Sox, meanwhile, look shaky in first with two straight losses and four in their last five. Let’s see where the value is on the MLB odds.
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees
Thursday, July 15, 2021 – 07:08 PM EDT at Yankee Stadium
The Yankees return to the field after the All-Star Break, still trying to figure out what type of team they are: Contenders or disappointments? Buyers or sellers? New York’s final week before the break was symbolic of this year’s team. The Yankees appeared to be sending a message that they weren’t quite done yet, winning five of six, including two straight over the Astros.
Any pre-Break momentum was lost and long forgotten, however, after the Yankees saw a 7-2 lead over Houston get wiped out in the ninth inning in the final game of the first half. New York ended up losing on a walk-off by Jose Altuve, who had been mocked by Aaron Judge earlier in the series.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, continue to reside atop the American League East, but it’s a shaky first place. Boston lost its last two games heading into the break and four of its last five, as the Sox lead has shrunk to a game and a half over Tampa.
Help On the Way
The Red Sox saw warning signs at the plate and on the mound in their pre-All-Star slump. After scoring 43 runs in five games to start the month, Boston topped five runs in a game just once in their last five and twice in the last seven. Red Sox pitchers have allowed five or more in Boston’s last five games.
The Boston offense could be getting a boost for the four-game series in New York that opens the second half. Top prospect, outfielder Jarren Duran will reportedly get called up and make his Major League debut on Thursday night. Like former Red Sox standouts Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr., Duran will play his first big league game in Yankee Stadium against Boston’s arch rivals.
Duran left Triple-A Worcester in the middle of Wednesday’s doubleheader and was reportedly on his way to join the Sox. He has a .926 OPS with 15 home runs and 12 steals in the minors this season.
The Sox will start Eduardo Rodriguez in Thursday’s series opener. He is 6-5 with a 5.52 ERA this season but seems to have figured a few things out, posting a 3.52 ERA in his last four starts and pitching into the sixth inning in three of them, after managing to do it just three times in the previous 10 outings.
Time to Show Something
Just over two weeks ago, the Yankees were swept in three straight by the Red Sox in Boston. At the time, manager Aaron Boone said New York’s season was on the line. The Yankees have gone 6-6 in the 12 games since, not exactly responding with the type of urgency Boone sought.
Now, it really is time for the Yankees to show something, if they want to contend in the American League East. In their first 13 games after the All-Star Break, New York plays eight against Boston and three against Tampa, the two teams ahead of them in the division.
“It’s right in front of us,” pitcher Jameson Taillon said. “We’ll have eight or 10 games where we can go out and take what’s ours. If we play well, we can put ourselves right back in the mix. If we don’t come out and play well, it’s not going to be good for us.”
The Yankees have not announced their rotation for the Boston series. It should be Jordan Montgomery’s day to pitch, but, with a three-day All-Star Break preceding things, manager Aaron Boone could shuffle things. Keep an eye out for that detail when heading to top sportsbooks.
The Pick
The Yankees have had time to take a breath and regroup. That should lead to at least a temporary boost on the field. Look for New York to get a series-opening win on Thursday and hold off funeral plans for a little longer.
MLB Pick: Yankees Moneyline (-115) with YouWager (visit our YouWager Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.