Red Sox vs. Yankees Prediction, Stats & Picks - August 18

Fri, Aug 18, 2023
by BestBets.today

The Bronx is set to witness another chapter of the fierce rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees tonight. This pivotal match-up is teeming with playoff implications, with a resurgent Boston side, having clawed their way back into the American League playoff picture, ready to take on a floundering Yankees team currently on the back foot. 

The Red Sox, boasting some key returns like Trevor Story and Chris Sale, bounce into this game after a testing series against the Nationals, where their bullpen exhibited dominance and fragility in equal measure. A significant amount rides on the performance of righty Brayan Bello. Despite a slightly shaky track record in recent games, Bello has overall numbers that inspire confidence - 8 wins in 20 starts with an ERA of 3.81. Bello's supremacy on the road, registering an ERA of 4.37 and 37 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched, is heartening, given that his formidable opponent, the Yankees franchise, is hosting this showdown. 

Meanwhile, the Yankees' season, characterized by injuries and underwhelming performances, has planted them firmly in the last place in the American League East. With many players on the IL, including key pitchers Nestor Cortes and Carlos Rodon, and the shifting of ace Gerrit Cole's game to Saturday, the Yankees' predicament seems far from favorable. 

Considering the stark contrast in the two teams' current positions, the Red Sox have a 5-1 record against the Yankees this season and seem to have the upper hand going into this game. Given that, my decisive prediction would be a victory for the Boston Red Sox, primarily because they stand to lose far more and are playing with a healthier lineup against a Yankees side that seems to be losing steam. 

On the other hand, with the Yankees struggling in their offensive capabilities and their run production being 22nd in baseball, I predict that the total score will be under 9. Expect an exhilarating game where the Red Sox will further assert dominance over their arch-rivals, the Yankees.