The Boston Red Sox (75-74, 3rd AL East) and the New York Yankees (83-63, 1st AL East) are set to clash in the final game of their 2024 rivalry series. This matchup marks the fourth game of the current series. The Yankees secured victories in the first two games, while the Red Sox bounced back to win game three on Saturday. As they approach this decisive game, the season series stands at a tie of 6-6. The Red Sox will send Kutter Crawford (4.09 ERA) to the mound, while the Yankees will counter with Carlos Rodon (4.21 ERA). The first pitch is scheduled for 1:35 EST at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Red Sox Face a Tight Race
The Boston Red Sox are in a challenging position as they aim for a winning record this season and hope to claim the season series against their arch-rivals, the Yankees. Currently, they find themselves four games shy of the final Wild Card spot, trailing the Mariners and Tigers who are also vying for the same opportunity held by the Twins. In a thrilling game on Saturday, Rafael Devers played a pivotal role, hitting a two-run single in the 5th inning, which helped propel the Red Sox to victory.
During the game, Devers faced an unusual situation; he was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat and then received an intentional walk in his next appearance. Boston manager Alex Cora commented on the strategy, stating, “I felt like the first at-bat he hit him on purpose. He doesn’t want to face him. That’s the bottom line.”
Devers leads the Red Sox with 83 RBIs, boasting 28 home runs and a batting average of .278. Jarren Duran, the leadoff hitter, has the highest average on the team at .288 and has stolen 32 bases this season, contributing 21 home runs and 72 RBIs. Tyler O’Neill, the team’s top power hitter, has hit 30 home runs, batting third in the order and driving in 59 runs with a .254 average.
Kutter Crawford is set to make his 31st start for the Red Sox, the most starts by any player on the team this season. Although he is a 28-year-old right-hander, he holds an 8-14 record and has seen the team lose in all five of his last outings. With an ERA of 4.09, Crawford has recorded 155 strikeouts against 45 walks and has allowed 31 home runs this year. In his previous start, he pitched 6.1 innings, conceding three earned runs in a loss against the Orioles.
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Yankees Seek Dominance
The New York Yankees have been locked in a fierce battle with the Baltimore Orioles throughout the season for supremacy in the AL East. After their recent victory on Saturday, the Yankees have established a three-game lead over the Orioles. While both teams are likely playoff contenders, the Yankees are eager to secure home-field advantage, preferring to play more postseason games in the Bronx than on the road. Despite having a quiet day on Saturday, the Yankees made waves on Friday when Aaron Judge hit a grand slam in the seventh inning, leading the team to their second win in the series.
Judge, known for his humble demeanor, addressed the media after the game, saying, “Just got to keep it rolling. Everybody’s doing their job.” His statistics speak volumes; leading the league with 52 home runs and 130 RBIs, Judge also has the second-best batting average at .321. He is a strong contender for the AL MVP award this season. Juan Soto, typically batting second in the lineup, has 39 home runs and 101 RBIs, proving to be a formidable power hitter. Gleyber Torres, the leadoff hitter, has contributed 13 home runs and 58 RBIs while holding a .250 batting average.
Carlos Rodon will take the mound for his 30th start this season. The 31-year-old left-hander has a record of 14-9 with a 4.21 ERA. He ranks 13th in the MLB with 181 strikeouts and has allowed 28 home runs this season, accompanied by 50 walks. In his last outing, Rodon pitched six innings and allowed two runs, securing a win against the Royals.
Best Bets for Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees
The Yankees are poised for a significant victory, driven by motivation and a strong pitching performance. With a firm grip on the AL East lead, their current position grants them a cushion they haven’t enjoyed in quite some time. New York is also navigating a narrow margin, sitting just one game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians. Their goal is to secure the top overall seed in the AL, ensuring home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Having won the first two games of this series, the Yankees are well aware of the 6-6 tie in the season series against Boston and are eager to claim victory in this fierce rivalry. Rodon has pitched nearly ten innings less than Crawford yet has recorded 26 more strikeouts, showcasing his power-pitching ability with 28 total strikeouts in his last three games. With the Red Sox struggling in their recent outings, having lost all five of Crawford’s last starts, they face an uphill battle. The Yankees have already hit five home runs off Crawford this season and are likely to add to that total.
New York is the pick to cover the runline.
