Tanaka, Yankees take on Red Sox
Resting just two games back of the second American League wild-card spot, the Yankees are on an absolute tear. Will their archrival be able to provide any resistance tonight?
Boston hosts New York in the opener of a three-game set, with a 7:10 p.m. ET first pitch at Fenway Park. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives John Farrell’s gang odds of -120 to extend its lead in the East Division, while the Bronx Bombers are considered +111 underdogs. The over/under run figure holds steady at 8.5.
The Yanks have gone 19-12 since beating the Red Sox on Aug. 11. They’ve been particularly lethal in games started by Masahiro Tanaka, who draws this evening’s assignment. Joe Girardi’s ace holds a 6-1 record with a sub-1.00 WHIP in his past eight appearances. Most recently, the 27-year-old held the Rays to one run over 7 1/3 innings.
Farrell boasts quite the potential foil, however, in Eduardo Rodriguez. The southpaw is 4-1 with a 1.88 ERA in six career clashes with the Yankees. He’s currently displaying better command than at any point in 2016, too.
MLB Quick Links: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats
We respect what Rodriguez has done to rescue what once seemed like a lost season. Nonetheless, Tanaka’s in some kind of zone right now. He’ll allow New York to improve to 34-37 on the road and keep making the junior circuit’s playoff picture a little more convoluted.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: YANKEES +1.5