After starting the season 0-2, Jon Lester will get his chance at a first win when the Boston Red Sox take on the New York Yankees in game two of their series Friday. After a rather easy 4-1 triumph the day before, can the Yankees beat their rivals again?
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees Betting Preview
When: Friday, April 11, 2014, 7:05 PM EST
Where: Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York
Line: Boston Red Sox (-120) at New York Yankees (+110); total – view all MLB lines
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Betting on the Boston Red Sox
[sc:MLB240banner ]Jon Lester (0-2, 2.51 ERA) has been solid on the mound this season but his Red Sox still lost both games he started. However, the nine-year veteran has been great against New York, going 11-5 with a 3.96 ERA in 26 career starts. In those starts the Yankees only managed to knock out 13 homers in 154 2/3 innings against Lester.
But in spite of that, Boston has failed to score more than two runs in four of its last five games, and in each contest, the matchup has gone under the line. Furthermore, the last five games featuring the Red Sox against an AL East team, has also gone under the line.
Scoring will also be important for the John Farrell-managed team. Since 2013, Lester is 10-0 when his team has scored at least six runs.
Betting on the New York Yankees
Thanks to some great pitching from Michael Pineda – and an unknown substance on his palm – the Yanks defensively dominated the Red Sox, by virtue of a two-hit shutout in the seventh inning and an RBI single by Jacoby Ellsbury.
Pitching for New York in game two against Boston will be C.C Sabathia (1-1 7.50 ERA), who has won his last four starts at home. During that span, NYY has also been getting it done on offense, averaging 8.25 runs per contest, which should come in handy against a Red Sox team ranked 16th in ERA (3.73).
Four out of the last five times, Yankees games where Sabathia was the starting pitcher have gone under the line.
Writer’s Prediction
The trends are pointing towards this game going under the line again. Adding to that, two talented pitchers will take center stage, making for a defensive showdown. Who are you going to bet on?
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