Red Sox vs Yankees Prediction, Pick and Preview, August 18: MLB

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Key Stats

Preview

The Yankees will be hosting the Red Sox for the finale of a three-game set as New York is looking for the sweep. These teams played twice yesterday and the Yankees won both games 5-3 and 2-0 to force a three-way tie with the Red sox and Athletics for the two AL Wild Card spots.

The Red Sox bullpen needs to improve as in their last 10 games, they are pitching to a 7.80 reliever ERA. If they are going to control their own destiny, they need to pitch better later in the game.

The Yankees have been playing extremely well in games determined by two runs or fewer as they are 45-23 in those games, which is best in MLB. 

Pitching Matchup

Nick Pivetta (9-5, 4.20 ERA) has been doing pretty well as of late as one of the more reliable Boston starting pitchers. He is coming off a win against the Baltimore Orioles where he went six innings and allowed a run on three hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. This will be his first outing this season against the Yankees so it will be interesting and most of these hitters haven’t really seen him.  

Andrew Heaney (7-8, 5.78 ERA) is a fly-ball pitcher that is pitching in Yankee Stadium. He is coming off pitching against the Chicago White Sox in the Field of Dreams game where he did not factor into the decision. He threw five innings and allowed seven runs (three homers) on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts. He faced the Red Sox as a member of the Los Angeles Angels this season and hitters went 6-for-21 (.286) against them with a .348 OBP but only put across two runs and a single extra-base hit. 

Prediction

The New York Yankees have seemed to take all of the momentum right now and should be able to sweep with a win here against their division rival. The Yankees win close games and the offense has come alive and is getting healthier after Gary Sanchez, Jordan Montgomery, and Gerrit Cole have all returned this series. This will be the only nine-inning game and Boston’s bullpen has been struggling. Go with the Yankees to win here. 

PICK: New York Yankees money line (-112)

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