Boston at NY Yankees Expert Pick & Odds

The Boston Red Sox can clinch the AL East Division with a win on Tuesday night at the rival New York Yankees, who are going to miss out on the postseason. The Red Sox have more than just a division title to think about as they also are trying to nail down the top seed in the playoffs and home-field advantage for as long as they are alive. They will be favorites Monday on MLB odds behind ace David Price.

Boston at NY Yankees Expert Pick, Odds & TV Info

RECAP: #RedSox set pitching records in sweep of Rays: https://t.co/y10LPbPECh pic.twitter.com/5SAoL2T8E8

— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) September 25, 2016

When: Tuesday, Sept. 27, 7 PM ETWhere: Yankee Stadium, New YorkProbable pitchers (away/home): David Price/Luis CessaTV: ESPN2Opening MLB Lines: TBA

Why Bet on Boston?

As of now, Cleveland and Boston would play in the ALDS with the Sox having home-field advantage. Boston won the season series 4-2 over Cleveland. And so the Red Sox would earn the second seed if the two clubs finish with the same record (playoff tiebreaker rules).No team is playing better right now as Boston is on a season-high 11-game winning streak. It comes off a weekend sweep in Tampa Bay. It is the first time a Boston club has won 11 in a row in the month of September since 1949. There was history made in Sunday’s 3-2 victory. Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez struck out a career-high 13 in 5 1/3 innings. The left-hander and Heath Hembree combined to strike out 11 consecutive batters to establish a major league record. The New York Mets held the previous mark when Tom Seaver struck out 10 in a row against San Diego in 1970. Boston also set a club record by striking out 21 through nine.Now there’s even talk the Red Sox could get back third baseman Pablo Sandoval this season. It was thought he was lost for the year, but on Saturday Red Sox manager John Farrell said Sandoval is progressing faster than expected from shoulder surgery, and Farrell didn’t rule out Sandoval from rejoining the team if needed. Sandoval underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder in May. At the time, the Red Sox said he would make a full recovery in time for the 2017 season.The Sox remain without All-Star pitcher Steven Wright (shoulder), who isn’t ready to throw a bullpen session. Wright was scheduled to throw a pen session on Sunday but the team realized he wasn’t ready. He’ll continue with his throwing program but the odds of Wright making it back by the end of the regular season are incredibly slim. Wright was Boston’s best pitcher in the first half.As for Price, (17-8, 3.91), he comes off a win in Baltimore, allowing three runs and six hits over seven innings. Price hasn't lost since Aug. 7. Price is 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA this season in four starts vs. New York.

Why Bet on New York?

The Yankees played shockingly well after the Aug. 1 trade deadline despite dealing away some of their best players but they are sputtering to the finish line now. New York did score, at least, in the 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays Sunday. The Yankees avoided the embarrassment of becoming the first American League team to be blanked in four consecutive games since the introduction of the designated hitter in 1973. The Washington Senators were the last AL team to be shut out in four straight games and that was Sept. 1-5, 1964.“It stinks,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “We’ve been fighting and fighting, and you think about some of these games we’ve lost, they’ve been really tough. We’ve gotten really good pitching performances. We’ve lost them in a number of different ways. It’s just been tough.”New York goes with the rookie Luis Cessa (4-3, 4.30) here. He comes off a loss in Tampa Bay, allowing two runs and six hits over six innings with six strikeouts. He is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in seven innings vs. Boston this year.

My Expert Prediction

Boston will lock up the division on MLB odds behind Price.