The first weekend of the 2022 MLB season wraps up with the marquee AL East showdown at Yankee Stadium in Bronx New York, so we have prepared the best Red Sox vs. Yankees betting pick along with the latest odds update on BetMGM NY Sportsbook.
Boston and New York will close down Sunday’s 15-game card with the first pitch at 7:08 PM ET. Last Friday, they opened a three-game series, and the Yankees outlasted the Sawx 6-5 in 11 innings, while the middle contest has been excluded from the analysis.
The Red Sox blew a three-run lead in the opener
The Boston Red Sox started the new season on a high note, scoring three runs off Gerrit Cole in the first inning. However, they ultimately suffered a tough loss despite leading 5-4 in the top of the tenth inning. Nathan Eovaldi got the starting call and yielded three earned runs in five innings of work, while Kutter Crawford was charged for a loss.
Tanner Houck will toe the slab Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Last year, the 25-year-old right-hander went 1-5 in 13 starts and five relief appearances, tallying a 3.52 ERA, 2.58 FIP, 1.13 WHIP, and 87/21 K/BB ratio across 69 frames.
Houck tossed 15 innings this past spring training and yielded seven earned runs (three homers) on 13 hits and nine walks while punching out 17. He’s 1-1 with a sparkly 1.86 ERA in three career starts and a couple of relief appearances against the Yankees.
The Yanks’ offense made the difference in Game 1
The New York Yankees struggled mightily at the plate in 2021. They hope for much better performance in 2022, and the opening clash showed significant improvement. Anthony Rizzo, Giancarlo Stanton, and DJ LeMahieu all went yard, while Josh Donaldson walked it off in his Yankees debut.
Gerrit Cole threw four innings in the opener and yielded three earned runs on four hits and a walk. The Yankees used seven relievers, and Michael King earned a victory after tossing a couple of scoreless innings.
Jordan Montgomery will take the mound Sunday. The 29-year-old southpaw had a solid 2021 campaign, finishing with a 6-7 record and 3.83 ERA in 30 starts. He also recorded a 3.69 FIP, 1.28 WHIP, and 162/51 K/BB ratio through 157.1 innings of work. Montgomery is 1-2 with a 3.72 ERA in 11 career starts against the Red Sox.
Trends:
Boston:
- 1-7 in the last eight games against the Yankees
NY Yankees:
- 10-4 in the last 14 games overall
- 5-2 in the last seven games at home
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees Pick
The Red Sox’s pitching staff was a big issue in 2021. Boston made it to the ALCS, but the Sawx won’t return if they continue to struggle on the mound. Tanner Houck wasn’t at his best in spring training, and I don’t trust the righty despite his excellent record against the Yanks.
On the other side, the current Red Sox are slashing only .230/.268/.385 in 141 at-bats against Jordan Montgomery. The Yankees own a lot of talented arms in their bullpen, so I lean the hosts to come out on top.
Pick: Take New York Yankees at -130
The Total:
Both lineups are loaded, but I don’t feel comfortable with a 9.5-run line. Ten of the last 12 encounters between the Red Sox and Yankees have produced fewer than ten runs in the total, so I lean toward the under.
It’s way too early to jump to conclusions, but the Yankees’ bullpen looks good on paper. Also, Jordan Montgomery allowed only ten earned runs in 27.1 innings of work against the Red Sox in 2021. On the other side, the Sawx hope Tanner Houck will live up to the expectations.
Pick: Go under 9.5 runs at -120
