The New York Yankees renew one of sports most bitter rivalries tonight when they host the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series.
The Yankees played a sloppy Game 1 against the Twins but dominated Minnesota in the remainder of the series, outscoring them 14-3. They will be well rested tonight having not played since Sunday which is in contrast to the Red Sox who had to fly from Boston to Oakland after winning Sunday, play Monday night and then immediately head back east.
Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield gets the start for the Red Sox looking to improve on his career record against the Yankees. In 30 appearances against them including 13 starts he is just 6-8 with a 5.08 ERA. That's not good news for Red Sox fans when you consider that there are still big question marks hanging over the RedSox pen, especially with Derek Lowe unavailable tonight since he is slated to start Game 2. Boston are just 16-18 when Wakefield starts this season.
The Yankees give the ball to Mike Mussina who is 17-9 with a 3.42 ERA this season. He ranks fouth in the AL in WHIP and K's, sixth in wins and batting average against and eight in ERA. In three starts against Boston this season he pitched at least 7 2/3 innings each time and despite a 3.04 ERA didn't figure in any of the decisions. In 39 career starts against the Red Sox he is 16-11 with a 3.09 ERA. With Mariano Rivera looking to be back to his best the Yankees bullpen has a clear edge in this series.
The Yankees are 18-10 (+4 units) against Boston in games played at Yankee Stadium the last three seasons.
The old saying still applies....good pitching beats good hitting and that is especially true in the postseason.
We're reluctant to recommend laying the heavy juice in the postseason so we'll go with the Yankees on the run-line.
Recommended Play: Yankees -1.5 +105
Good luck
Mike Thomas
Champion Plays
The Yankees played a sloppy Game 1 against the Twins but dominated Minnesota in the remainder of the series, outscoring them 14-3. They will be well rested tonight having not played since Sunday which is in contrast to the Red Sox who had to fly from Boston to Oakland after winning Sunday, play Monday night and then immediately head back east.
Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield gets the start for the Red Sox looking to improve on his career record against the Yankees. In 30 appearances against them including 13 starts he is just 6-8 with a 5.08 ERA. That's not good news for Red Sox fans when you consider that there are still big question marks hanging over the RedSox pen, especially with Derek Lowe unavailable tonight since he is slated to start Game 2. Boston are just 16-18 when Wakefield starts this season.
The Yankees give the ball to Mike Mussina who is 17-9 with a 3.42 ERA this season. He ranks fouth in the AL in WHIP and K's, sixth in wins and batting average against and eight in ERA. In three starts against Boston this season he pitched at least 7 2/3 innings each time and despite a 3.04 ERA didn't figure in any of the decisions. In 39 career starts against the Red Sox he is 16-11 with a 3.09 ERA. With Mariano Rivera looking to be back to his best the Yankees bullpen has a clear edge in this series.
The Yankees are 18-10 (+4 units) against Boston in games played at Yankee Stadium the last three seasons.
The old saying still applies....good pitching beats good hitting and that is especially true in the postseason.
We're reluctant to recommend laying the heavy juice in the postseason so we'll go with the Yankees on the run-line.
Recommended Play: Yankees -1.5 +105
Good luck
Mike Thomas
Champion Plays
