Best MLB Bets for Yankees vs. Red Sox (ALWC Game 1)
The MLB playoffs begin today with a pair of Game 1 Wild Card matchups, including the Red Sox on the road in the Bronx to take on the Yankees. The Yankees and Red Sox finished second and third, respectively, in the American League East. The winner of this best-of-three Wild Card series will advance to the next round to face the Tampa Bay Rays. We've rounded up the best MLB bets for today’s matchup in this storied rivalry.
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Best MLB Bets: Yankees vs. Red Sox (ALWC Game 1)
Best Yankees-Red Sox Player Prop Bet
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Cam Schlittler Over 7.5 Strikeouts (+121)
Cam Schlittler finished the regular season with 239 strikeouts, tied for the third-most in the league. He faced the Red Sox four times, striking out at least five batters in each start.
Schlittler really hit his stride against the Red Sox late in the season. In his last start against them, he pitched 5.2 innings and struck out eight batters. In the start before that one, he struck out nine batters in just five innings. In his career, he's struck out 25 Red Sox in 78 at-bats.
The Red Sox were actually one of the better teams at avoiding strikeouts this season, finishing with the 12th-fewest in the league. However, the Red Sox also struggled to score runs, finishing 23rd in runs scored this season. Schlittler didn't allow more than a single earned run in any of his starts against Boston, and I don't expect him to get chased early tonight either.
Best Yankees-Red Sox Same-Game Parlay
(Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Leg #1: Under 7.5 Runs (-215)
- Leg #2: Ben Rice 2+ Hits + Runs + RBIs (+110)
- Leg #3: Yankees Moneyline (-138)
- Parlay Odds: +335
I hate taking a leg at such juiced odds, but 6.5 runs for the total makes me nervous (yes, one additional run makes a difference). But we have two very good pitchers in this game facing teams that haven’t been hitting all that well over the last week:
- Red Sox: .217
- Yankees: .229
In two games (13 innings) versus the Yankees, Payton Tolle allowed one run. Across four starts against Boston, Cam Schlittler surrendered two earned runs (seven total runs).
I'm not expecting much offense in this game, but I like Ben Rice to provide something for the Yankees. He's been one of the better and more reliable hitters on the team this season. He'll get at least one hit and record either a run or an RBI today.
The Yankees were not hitting great down the stretch, but they found a way to win more often than not, winning four of their last six and three of four against Tampa Bay. Boston, on the other hand, lost six of its last nine. Look for Cam Schlittler to pitch a gem and for the Yankees to win a low-scoring game.