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Red Sox vs. Yankees Prediction and Odds (Back New York to Start Rivalry with a WIn)

By Matt De Saro

Wild Card Round - New York Yankees v Boston Red Sox
Wild Card Round - New York Yankees v Boston Red Sox / Maddie Meyer/GettyImages
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The Yankees and Red Sox were supposed to kick off the 2022 season on Thursday, but the game was postponed due to inclement weather. So, Friday is now Opening Day at Yankee Stadium between these two legendary rivals. This will be the first of 19 games these two teams will play in 2022. 

Both teams enter the season with high expectations. The Red Sox hope to make up for getting knocked out of the ALCS by the Astros last year. Things will be a bit harder for the Bo Sox after losing Kyle Schwarber to free agency and Hunter Renfroe via trade. They still return most of their core players and look poised to make a run at the division. 

The Yankees, on the other hand, come off a disappointing year. Despite winning 92 games, they only managed a Wild Card game, which they lost to the Red Sox. Perhaps a bit of revenge is on the mind of the Yankees on Friday to start the year. 

Here are the odds for Friday's opener, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Red Sox vs. Yankees Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Red Sox: +1.5 (-155)
  • Yankees -1.5 (+130)

Moneyline:

  • Red Sox: +155
  • Yankees: -170

Total:

  • 7.5 (OVER -115 | UNDER -105)

Red Sox vs. Yankees Prediction and Pick

These early-season games are always hard to predict, especially with a rivalry like this one on the line. As always, the most important players in any baseball game are the starting pitchers. Friday’s season opener will feature a duel between the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole and the Red Sox’s Nathan Eovaldi. 

Cole has the upper hand in terms of skill and finished last year with a 3.23 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 30 starts. He went 16-8 and ranked among the top 15 pitchers in the league in ERA, WHIP, and strikeout to walk ratio. Despite his status as the team ace, Cole got lit up in the Wild Card game and will be out for redemption tonight. 

Eovaldi, meanwhile, took the win in that Wild Card game with 5 ⅓ innings of one-run ball. He finished the season with a 3.75 ERA and an 11-9 record. He ranked 24th in ERA, 23rd in WHIP, and 18th in strikeout to walk ratio. A strong year, but not on the level of Cole. 

And that will continue today I think. Cole is just that much better and, if he plays well, should have a strong debut against the Red Sox. The Sox have a garbage bullpen, so, if the Yankees shell Eovaldi early, this game could get out of hand fast. 

PICK: Yankees -1.5 (+130)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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