The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are set to do battle in the finale of a four-game series that saw only three games played. The first game in the series was postponed due to weather, so the Yankees are going for the three-game sweep tonight in New York.
The Yankees are on top in the AL Central with a 38-19 record while the Red Sox are sitting in third place at 29-29. The Yankees have won three games in a row while the Red Sox have been struggling, dropping four straight games. The Red Sox are looking to get back on track and avoid a sweep at the hands of their rival while the Yankees are looking to push their division lead out even further. The Red Sox are favored in the final game of the series by 1.5 runs.
Red Sox Look to Snap Streak
While Boston has been struggling lately, they have the perfect man on the mound tonight to stop the bleeding. David Price sports a 2.83 ERA on the season and is 2-2. He is going to try to come out and pick up his third win of the season against a very good Yankees team. Price has 53 strikeouts in just 47.2 innings pitched this season. Price has allowed just 38 hits on the season.
The Red Sox have not been bad offensively, but lately, they haven’t been very solid. On the year, they are batting .259 with 84 home runs. The Red Sox have gotten on base at a .342 clip this season and are going to have to push that number higher to catch the Yankees this season.
New York Seeks A Sweep
The Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball this season, and they are certainly playing like it right now. They hold a team ERA of 3.66 and have their ace on the mound for the series finale. CC Sabathia hasn’t been his usual self this season but is still a pitcher who knows how to throw the ball. He has a 3.48 ERA and a 3-1 record on the season.
Sabathia is struggling with walking guys and giving up home runs this season. In 41.1 innings, he has issued 17 walks and also has given up 11 home runs. With a struggling Red Sox lineup, Sabathia needs to stay away from the walks, and he should be good to go tonight.
Rivals Face Off in Big Game
Tonight is going to be a battle on ESPN. Neither team is going to want to drop a game as the Yankees want to sweep the Red Sox, and Boston isn’t going to want to get swept. It is going to come down to pitching, and I think the Red Sox have the upper hand with Price on the mound. Look for Price to carve up the Yankees batters, but Sabathia will keep it close. Take the Yankees to cover.
