Yankees at Red Sox

As is the case with most meetings between the Yankees and Red Sox, this series is truly anybody’s game and could simply come down to which team wants it more. Boston has been outscored by NY 27-7 so far this year, a margin that is unacceptable regardless of circumstance.

Bell proudly flipped his bat after his first career walk-off homer gave the Pirates a 5-2 win over the Cardinals. He’s big and powerful and confident – he said in April that he’d like to finish this season in Boston – but that doesn’t mean he’s a sure thing. So far, the Sox rotation has carried the team. Since Sandoval has missed so many games, we have seen some great young talent play at the hot corner all season. The Red Sox, meanwhile, are 4-1 in Pomeranz’s last five starts, are 7-2 in his last nine home outings, and are 13-3 in his last 16 starts versus American League East opponents.

Brock Holt is expected back soon after spending most of the first half on the disabled list and should provide depth at third – and everywhere else. Their pitching staff has been the driving force behind their success, with the third-best park-adjusted ERA in the majors, and the fourth best WAR.

However, it’s often hard to overcome a bad first impression.

This year, he has 4 wins to 11 losses, which is putrid. Price is 4-2 with a 3.91 ERA.

“It’s one of those plays where the game’s on the line”, Torreyes said through his translator. Cooper became the eighth player to start at first for NY this season. Orlando Arcia put Pivetta in the hole when a 1-2 fastball caught just enough of the plate for the shorstop to drive it to left for his ninth home run of the season and Pivetta followed that by walking Milwaukee’s starting pitcher Zach Davies. Right-handed batters are hitting.234 against him but lefties are only batting.188.

Instead of steamrolling into the break, Boston looked vulnerable – still a formidable team, no question, but a team that can go flat. But to the credit of manager John Farrell, and the brilliance of closer Craig Kimbrel (23 saves), the bullpen has pitched well. Though the Astros scored eight runs in the second inning, with seven coming off Berrios, he was only charged with two earned runs after a botched double-play attempt with one out continued the inning. Matt Barnes (3.57 ERA) was given the job but has been inconsistent and his 21 walks in 401/3 innings is troublesome.

“But I’m going to have a new one here”. Prince Fielder’s $214 million contract with the Tigers was worth just 7.0 WAR over its first four seasons and change before he retired a year ago due to a chronic neck injury. “Maybe (I’ll get to pitch) next time”. “But you have to win those games”. Hahn said Quintana admitted to him Thursday that being the subject of a steady stream of trade rumors wore on him, which seems only natural. The Red Sox were well represented and didn’t let the Red Sox nation down, Chris Sale, Mookie Betts, and Craig Kimbrel did their part to bring a W back to the A.L. Sale didn’t pitch long.