Chicago enters Chase Field at 75-56 after Sunday’s extraordinary 19-2 victory in Seattle. The Cubs collected 17 hits, four homers, two grand slams, and nine eighth-inning runs. That victory ended a three-game losing streak and completed a 4-6 stretch. Chicago still scored 50 runs during those 10 games, reflecting considerable offensive volatility. Arizona stands 69-62 after completing its 39th comeback victory Sunday. The Diamondbacks are 5-5 across 10 games, with 50 runs scored and 54 allowed. Arizona remains involved in a crowded National League wild-card race. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Yankees vs. Red Sox prediction, preview
Cam Schlittler has built a Cy Young profile from velocity, command, and an almost insulting refusal to provide comfortable contact. He owns an 11-6 record, 2.16 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 193 strikeouts across 158 innings. His 97 mph four-seamer accounts for 44.1% of his pitches. A 25.8% cutter and 19.9% sinker prevent hitters from sitting above the belt. Schlittler’s 30.8% strikeout rate accompanies a 5.9% walk rate and .266 xwOBA. Opponents have managed 88.3 mph contact, 39.2% hard hits, and 7.7% barrels. Boston’s current hitters own a .194 average and .228 wOBA across 67 plate appearances against him. Schlittler has struck out 28.4% of those batters.
Patrick Sandoval reaches the same matchup through movement and deception, although traffic remains his persistent enemy. He has registered a 4.54 ERA and 1.76 WHIP across 39.2 innings. His 41 strikeouts preserve upside, while 18 walks have created too many stressful innings. Sandoval throws his slider 26.5%, changeup 24.9%, four-seamer 20.4%, and sinker 20.2%. That varied shape has limited opponents to 33.9% hard contact and 6.5% barrels. Current Yankees own a .200 average and .271 wOBA against him. Their .431 expected slugging percentage identifies the danger behind those quiet results. Sandoval can silence right-handed bats when his changeup lands. Falling behind Goldschmidt, Rosario, and Ramos could turn Yankee Stadium’s short dimensions against him.
Boston waits with bated breath for Roman Anthony’s activation. Its expected order places him at leadoff and designated hitter, although the club had announced nothing before publication. Anthony tore a tendon connected to his right ring finger on May 4. He hit only .229 with one homer before the injury, following last season’s .292/.396/.463 arrival. His timing suddenly looks ready. Anthony homered, walked, and reached three times Tuesday, then collected two more hits Thursday for Worcester. Chad Tracy intends to restore him atop the order whenever clearance arrives. That possibility changes Boston’s shape immediately. Anthony would precede .285-hitting Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, and Willson Contreras. Contreras owns 26 homers, 78 RBIs, 13.8% barrels, and a .396 wOBA.
Red Sox vs. Yankees pick, best bet
New York retains enough force to punish Sandoval without its two famous right-handed destroyers. Ben Rice has 35 homers, 51 barrels, a 92.2 mph exit velocity, and 15.1% barrels. He has produced a .791 OPS against lefties, although his August OPS has fallen to .662. Goldschmidt and Rosario should receive the first and third lineup positions against Sandoval. Cody Bellinger and Jazz Chisholm have each hit .400 against lefties across New York’s last 15 games facing them. The complete Yankees offense has produced a .244/.339/.420 line during the last week. Boston owns the cleaner late-inning structure, however. Its relievers lead these clubs with a 2.85 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. New York follows at 3.04 and 1.20, while Fernando Cruz’s partial UCL tear removes another leverage arm.
Everything points toward constrained scoring without demanding perfection from Sandoval. Schlittler can dominate Boston’s left-handed core, even if Anthony provides the evening’s emotional voltage. Both bullpens shorten the game, and 80-degree weather arrives with only three mph wind. The early storm chance should disappear quickly. New York’s moneyline at −148 asks too much from an injured lineup. Its +135 run line carries one-run and missing-bottom-ninth risk. Seven also supplies valuable push protection against a 4-3 result. Sandoval’s command collapse represents the clearest failure path. Schlittler’s bat-missing power still gives the total considerable room.
Best bet: Under 7 runs at −102, playable to −120.
Projected score: Yankees 4, Red Sox 2.
Best bet: Yankees vs. Red Sox u7.0 total runs (+100)
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