Red Sox-Yankees Round 3 highlights AL’s midweek slate
When last the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees met, the Red Sox swept them at home in the midst of a winning streak that would reach 11 games, and the Yankees were in the midst of a so-so start to the season.
Now, the Yankees are in the middle of a hot run of their own, having gone 18-6 over their last 24 games, and in that time, the Red Sox have been playing pretty average baseball, going 12-12 in that same span. As a result, New York has jumped both Boston and Toronto to take first in the AL East, and a series win at Fenway would add to their cushion.
Though the Red Sox have an unblemished mark against their archrivals this season, recent history would favor the Yankees to win this series. Boston’s sweep was only their second series win at home against the Yankees dating back to the 2006 season. That being said, I like the Red Sox to win the series and head back into interleague play at least tied atop the AL East.
Pitching Matchups
Tuesday: Josh Beckett (BOS) v. A.J. Burnett (NYY) – The pitching matchup to watch in this series is tomorrow night’s showdown between former Florida Marlins teammates Beckett and Burnett. Beckett is 7-4 against the Yankees since joining the Red Sox in 2006, and one can never forget how he pitched against the Yankees in a World Series MVP-winning performance for the Marlins in 2003.
Last time around against the Red Sox, Burnett was spotted a 6-0 lead after three and a half innings, but he was chased after allowing five runs in the fourth and three in the fifth. He’ll be eager to put that – and a possible impending suspension – well in the back of his mind,
Wednesday: Tim Wakefield (BOS) v. Chien-Ming Wang (NYY) – The 42-year-old Wakefield is off to a very good start to the season, with a 7-3 mark and two complete games in his first 11 starts. Wang comes in 0-3 with a 14.46 ERA, but until allowing five runs in 4.2 innings in Thursday’s 8-6 win over Texas, he’d been pitching much better since getting shelled in his first three appearances of the season.
BONUS TIP: Take the over on combined total runs. In Wang’s appearances this season, the combined totals have been 12, 20, 26, 10, 11, 9, and 14.
Thursday: Brad Penny (BOS) v. C.C. Sabathia (NYY) – Will Penny even still be with the Red Sox on Thursday? He’s 5-2 this season, but he’s on the trading block, with Philadelphia and Atlanta having been linked with him. If he does start, there’s a good chance that the Red Sox could be slight underdogs with Sabathia on the hill, but Sabathia’s past history vs. Boston (2-7 career mark, including two losses in the 2007 ALCS) could make it worth it to put a small wager on the Red Sox in the series finale. .
Other AL Series to Watch
Texas Rangers v. Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays won 6-3 in the opener of their four-game series against the AL West leaders on Monday night, which was their first road win in 10 games. The Blue Jays have a winning record against the AL West this season (7-5), and the Rangers have a losing record against the AL East (9-11), so you have to like Toronto’s chances to at least earn a split in this series and even win it.
My only sure bet on the Rangers in this one is on Wednesday, with Kevin Millwood (5-4, 2.96 ERA) pitching better than he has in quite a while. All six of Millwood’s starts at home (and 8 of 12 this season) have been quality starts, with a 3-1 record in those six starts, so I expect a strong outing and a Rangers win on Wednesday.
Tampa Bay Rays (29-30) v. Los Angeles Angels (28-27): Both of these teams are looking to avoid losing more ground in their divisions, with the defending AL champion Rays six behind in the AL East and the defending AL West champion Angels four back of the Rangers in the AL West. The Angels are 10-6 against the AL East this season, but they’re running into a Rays team that is 14-6 in their last 20 at home.
The series is a real tossup, but I like the Rays to win two of three at home. Both teams bring plenty of punch at the plate, but with quality pitching matchups in all three games, I’m favoring going with the under combined run total in each game, especially on Tuesday with James Shields (4-1, 2.72 ERA at home this season) going up against Jered Weaver (5-2, 2.26 ERA this season).
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