The New York Yankees just took three out of four games at home against Chicago, and in all likelihood, that ensured they’ll be going to the postseason, albeit as a Wild Card. They'll finish up the last home stand of the season against the Boston Red Sox, a series which will play its second game on Tuesday night.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Tuesday could be the night the Yanks clinch a playoff spot, knowing that they enter this week with four games in the loss column above safety. They're 86-69 and could guarantee themselves a winning season for bettors as well if things go well in this one. New York sits with 3.90 units in profits in 2015.
The Red Sox have played better ball in the second half of the year, and they still have an outside chance to finish .500. They're 75-80 heading into the last week of the year, and are only out 6.90 units after once being behind by over 20 units earlier in the summer.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The Yankees have yet to formally announce their rotation for the week ahead, but we think that Michael Pineda is going to be the man throwing in this one to ensure that he can pitch again either on the last day of the regular season or in the Wild Card game if need be.
Pineda missed most of August with forearm problems, but he has been in fine shape since coming back, posting a 3.32 ERA in September with 27 strikeouts in just 28.2 innings of work.
Rick Porcello's incredibly disappointing season in Boston will hit its end on Tuesday night. The righty is just 8-14 with a 5.04 ERA, and though he has been at least somewhat better in recent months, helping the Sox claw closer to .500, he still hasn't been anything to write home about.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Probably the best thing he did was he pitched out of some jams. He made some big pitches when he had to… He just seemed to take it up another level." – Yankees manager Joe Girardi following Pineda's last start against the White Sox last Thursday
SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Red Sox still have bullpen problems which have lasted all season long. They have the worst WAR for all of the pens in baseball at -1.0 as a team. The team has a 4.35 ERA and a 4.59 FIP in relief.
In case you thought things were going to get any better in September with all of the call-ups, you're wrong. Boston's relievers in the final month of the season have a 4.88 ERA and a 5.03 FIP.
PROP TALK
The Yankees just aren't hitting the ball at all right now. In September, they have just a .225 batting average. They're still hitting for power with a .166 ISO and 35 home runs. Still, Porcello has struggled allowing contact all year long, but he finally might have a game in which he can shine for prop purposes against this suddenly struggling New York offense.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Yankees are probably going to take their foot off of the gas pedal this last week of the season, knowing that all of their work over 162 games has to come down to a Wild Card game against a team to be determined. We don't expect to see Pineda for very long in this one in case he is needed again, and that could be bad news for the hosts.
The Red Sox are going to be big dogs in this game, and we think this is a spot to pick them at a great price.
Boston 5, New York 3
The baseball betting odds for this Tuesday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don't have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone or tablet. Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The duel between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees will take place Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at 7:05 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. Catch the action live on ESPN.
