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MLB Odds: New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox AL East Rivalry

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are tied atop the American League East standings and close out a series on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball at Fenway Park.

New York snapped a seven-game losing streak against Boston in the series opener, only to start a new one in dropping a 10-4 contest Saturday afternoon.  The Yankees should find the results alarming due to ace CC Sabathia now being 0-4 with a 7.20 ERA versus their most hated rival this year.  First baseman Mark Teixeira has also had his struggles against Boston, going 5 for 40 with four RBIs this season.  The club is 11-16 in its last 27 games at Fenway Park.

Yankees starting pitcher Freddy Garcia is 10-7 with a 3.22 ERA in 20 appearances (19 starts) this season and enters on a three-game winning streak.  The right-hander has allowed five runs and 21 hits over 20 1/3 innings in that span, as the offense has provided 18 runs of support.  Garcia will be making his ninth outing (eighth start), posting an even 3-3 mark and 2.85 ERA, surrendering just two home runs in 53 2/3 frames.  In 19 lifetime appearances (18 starts) versus the Red Sox, the veteran enters with a solid 8-4 record despite carrying a 4.82 ERA.  He is 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA in three games (two starts) against Boston this year, including his shortest outing of the season.

Boston holds a 9-2 advantage in the series and yesterday’s win was officially outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury’s coming out party.  He drove in a career-high six runs and launched himself into the AL MVP race.  The Red Sox have been receiving other major contributions in the lineup, including second baseman Dustin Pedroia hitting safely in 43 of hits last 46 games.  Boston paces the majors with a .280 team batting average and also leads with 614 runs scored, which is 13 more than tonight’s opponent. 

Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett is 9-4 with a 2.20 ERA in 21 starts this season and will be aiming for his first win since July 23.  The right-hander has also received just 10 runs of support over his last four outings.  Beckett has been a monster when taking he mound at Fenway Park, producing a 4-1 mark and 1.99 ERA, as opponents are hitting just .204 against him.  In 25 career starts versus the Yankees, the former first-round selection is 13-7 with a 5.52 ERA, including a perfect 3-0 mark and 0.86 ERA in three outings this year.

At the time of this writing, Boston is a -165 home favorite and the total stands at 9 Over (-125).