The lifetime rivals play their first series against one another since the season opened in April. The two couldn’t be in more different situations. New York is enjoying another fine season, right near the top of the AL East with only one or two concerns on their roster. Boston, however, are fourth in the division, and many in Sox Nation have already declared the season lost. Online sports betting have also lost faith in the Sox. I don’t think their situation isn’t that bad, but it definitely has room for improvement.
New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox
P. Hughes (3-0) v. J. Beckett (1-0)
Hughes vs Red Sox Hitting
Javier Vazquez was originally the starter in this game, but he came down with a case of Pitchingreallybaditis, so Phil Hughes took his spot instead. It’s a pretty good trade off for Yankee fans. MLB betting online knows that Hughes has been dominant so far this season, going 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP. In his last start, Hughes went seven innings of shutout ball, striking out six and walking only one. He seems to be finally reaching his potential as a former first round pick.
However, Hughes’ career numbers against Boston don’t instill much confidence. As both a reliever and a starter, Hughes had made eight appearances against Boston. Those who bet on sports know that in those eight appearances, the righty is 0-2 with a 7.98 ERA. Fortunately for Hughes, this Boston team hasn’t matched the offensive prowess of Boston teams in the past. Guys like Victor Martinez, Mike Cameron and David Ortiz are really struggling with the bat, and don’t represent much of a threat to Hughes’ current hot streak. In addition, the Red Sox best hitter so far, Dustin Pedroia, is a career 0-for-8 against Hughes with two strikeouts. This could be the game Hughes breaks out of his Boston curse.
Beckett vs Yankees Hitting
This has not been the best year for Josh Beckett. In six starts, the Red Sox ace is 1-0 with an astonishingly bad 6.31 ERA. His last start wasn’t horrible (seven innings, two runs in a loss), but his two starts before were absolutely horrendous. In two games against Toronto and Texas, Beckett went only 10 combined innings but allowed 15 runs and walked eight. The Red Sox’s success this season rests heavily on the arm of Beckett, and if he continues to falter so too will the Red Sox season.
MLB betting knows that Beckett wasn’t sharp versus the Yankees in his Opening Day start. The former World Series MVP lasted just 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs and striking out just one batter. Since then, Beckett has continued to struggle and the Yankees bats have been on fire. One matchup to watch will be Beckett v. Robinson Cano. Cano has owned Beckett in his career, hitting .362 with 10 RBI’s in 47 at-bats. This season, Cano so far leads the Yankees in batting average, home runs and RBI’s. It could get real ugly for Beckett.
Bullpen Comparison
Mariano Rivera and Joba Chamberlain have been fantastic coming out of the bullpen for New York, but that’s where the praise for the Yankee ‘pen ends. Alfredo Acevas, David Robertson and Damaso Marte have done little to instill much confidence in Yankee management, while Chan Ho Park is an afterthought Yankee fans wish never wore the pinstripes. As for Boston, their bad luck does include the bullpen. Ramon Ramirez, Scott Schoeneweis and Hideki Okajimi all have ERA’s over 6.00. The Yanks have the advantage should the starters falter.
Outlook
Beckett has been struggling all season, and a game against the Yankees probably isn’t the best cure. Some of the Yankee bats have feasted on Beckett during his career (especially Cano), and would like nothing better than to kick the righty while he’s down. That’s a very likely scenario.
Pick: New York Yankees
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