Yanks keeping slim hopes alive vs. Red Sox
Clay Buchholz proved his playoff bona fides in 2013. In order for the Red Sox to inflict some real damage this October, the righty may have to be equally instrumental to the cause.
Of course, Boston (92-65) isn’t totally ready for the postseason just yet. Tuesday’s 6-4 loss to the Yankees prevented John Farrell’s gang from clinching the American League East. The two teams meet again tonight, with a 7:05 p.m. ET first pitch in the Bronx. Online sports book Bovada.lv likes the visiting club to make it official, whereas New York represents a slight underdog.
Roughly 20 hours after David Price absorbed a beating, Farrell will hand the ball to a man who’s seemingly rediscovering his form. Buchholz (8-10, 5.00 ERA) boasts a 4-1 record with a 1.26 WHIP since Aug. 18. On Sept. 16, he held the Yanks to two runs and seven hits in six frames.
Joe Girardi counters with highly regarded prospect Bryan Mitchell (1-2, 4.50). The 25-year-old just tossed a career-high six innings against the Blue Jays, permitting one earned run on six base knocks. Even so, New York (81-76) has dropped three of his four starts.
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With Drew Pomeranz (forearm soreness) and Steven Wright (shoulder bursitis) currently sidelined, Buchholz’ work takes on added significance. Despite the fact that the Texas native’s struggled with the Yankees in the past, we expect him to pull through here. Bank on the Red Sox to improve to 47-33 away from Fenway Park.
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