The Boston Red Sox have the New York Yankees on the brink of elimination after Sox SP Garrett Crochet dominated the Bronx Bombers in Game 1 of their Wild Card series. Yankees SP Max Fried also pitched well, but New York's bullpen melted down, which could send the team packing.
Game 2 brings another tantalizing pitching matchup, with Yankees SP Carlos Rodon facing Red Sox SP Brayan Bello. Let’s break down what these two starters could mean for our Red Sox vs. Yankees picks on PrizePicks.
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Red Sox vs. Yankees Prediction, Picks for AL Wild Card
The Yankees ended their eight-game winning streak with their loss in Game 1. They had a chance to come back with the bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but proceeded to make three straight outs without scoring a single run.
Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman finished off the Yanks with a 24-pitch save.
Red Sox
The Red Sox were only 41-40 on the road during the regular season. They almost had to win Game 1 with Crochet on the mound, given the state of their starting rotation, as SP Lucas Giolito — who was 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA this season — is unlikely to pitch in the playoffs because of an elbow injury.
Yankees
The Yankees were 50-31 at home during the regular season, but couldn’t parlay that advantage into a win in Game 1. Yankees 1B/C Ben Rice and 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. were out of the lineup for Game 1 with the lefty Crochet on the mound, but both might well start Game 2. The problem for the Yankees continues to be their bullpen, which finished with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP during the regular season.
Red Sox vs. Yankees Picks & MLB DFS
Here are three of the top Red Sox vs. Yankees picks on PrizePicks for Game 2, including Rodon and Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman.
Yankees SP Carlos Rodon vs. Red Sox Projection: 1.5 Walks Allowed
- Rodon logged at least 5 2/3 innings in each of his final nine starts. In five of those outings, he issued at least 2 walks.
- After posting a 7.7% walk rate in 2024, the Yankees’ southpaw had a 9.3% walk rate this season.
- The Red Sox drew the 14th-most walks in baseball during the regular season.
- In three starts against the Red Sox, Rodon issued 3, 2, and 5 walks.
Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman vs. Yankees Projection: 5.5 Hitter Fantasy Score
- Bregman went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Game 1. During the regular season, he hit 10-for-28 (.357) with 1 home run, 3 RBIs, and 3 runs scored against the Yankees.
- The Red Sox star third baseman only had a 14.1% strikeout rate this season. For his career, his strikeout rate is just 13.4%.
- Bregman recorded a .375 wOBA versus left-handed pitchers this season, compared to a .348 wOBA against righties.
- While he produced a modest .761 OPS at Fenway Park, Bregman recorded a .875 OPS on the road this year.
Yankees SS Anthony Volpe vs. Red Sox Projection: 0.5 Total Bases
- One of the few bright spots in the Yankees’ lineup for Game 1, Volpe went 2-for-3 with 1 home run.
- After receiving a cortisone shot for his shoulder, Volpe recorded at least 1 hit in eight of his final 11 games during the regular season.
- The shortstop hit 19 home runs this season, 15 of which came off righties.
- For his career, Volpe is 6-for-17 (.353) with 1 double and 1 home run versus Bello.
Make MLB Picks, Win Cash on PrizePicks
With their backs up against the wall, the Yankees will turn to Rodon on Wednesday to try to keep their season alive. Red Sox vs. Yankees Game 2 brings a bevy of other projections to consider on PrizePicks. Just pick More or Less for at least two MLB player stat projections to build your Lineup on PrizePicks and win real money if your picks are correct.
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