MLB Baseball
2012-04-22 - New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Sunday 22 April 2012 - First Pitch 8:05pm ET
1:05am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The New York Yankees (9-6) have not swept a series at Fenway Park since 2006, but they have a real chance to do that today as they face the Boston Red Sox (4-10) in Game 3.
It is going to be more than a little interesting to see how the Boston Red Sox pick themselves up after losing Game 2 in the most ridiculous of manners. The Red Sox were leading 9-0 going into the 6th inning, but then proceeded to give up 15 unanswered runs from then on to lose a day after losing during the 100 year party for the ballpark.
The Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound and hope their ace can have a little more success against Boston than he has had in the past. He is 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA this season and he allowed just 3 runs from 7 and a bit innings pitched last time out against the Minnesota Twins.
Sabathia has had a tough time against Boston, getting the decision in just 1 of his 5 starts against them last season and finishing the season with a 6.39 ERA. Sabathia is just 3-4 in games at Fenway Park.
Boston will counter with Daniel Bard who is 0-2 this season with a 4.63 ERA. Bard was effective in his second start of the season as he allowed just 1 run against the Tampa Bay Rays in just under 7 innings pitched, although that run was given up through a walk.
The pitcher has never started against the Yankees but has been involved in 27 relief appearances against them. Bard is 2-1 with a 4.13 ERA in those games, but could be in for another tough night tonight.
New York have really found a way to get their bats going recently, averaging over 8 runs a game in their last 5 contests and they have knocked the ball out of the park 12 times in the last 3 they have played.
Head to Head
New York have now won 4 of their last 5 games at Fenway Park, including both this season.
Surprisingly, the Yankees are just 1-4 in their last 5 against Boston with CC Sabathia starting on the mound.
Prediction
I can't look beyond another New York Yankees win tonight in the big Sunday night affair, despite the fact that CC Sabathia has really struggled against Boston in the past.
The Yankees bats have been working very well over the last few days, while the Boston bullpen is one of the worst in the Major Leagues so there is potential for New York to have a big innings at any point during the nine.
Boston could also be missing Kevin Youkilis tonight, adding to the absence of Jacob Ellsbury and Carl Crawford, and it could be tough for the Red Sox to keep up with the Yankees.
The layers are offering 2.25 on another Yankees win on the run line and that looks good enough for to take it on.
The Pick :
Boston Red Sox 4-8 New York Yankees
