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The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees begin a four-game set on Thursday, September 12. It's a crucial one for both teams. Following a big series win, the Red Sox are inching closer to the final Wild Card spot. The Yankees hold a slim lead in the division and need all the wins they can get.
Both teams won their most recent series. They are also a part of one of the most intense rivalries in the sport and have got the entire weekend to settle their scores for the final time this year. Here's everything you need to know.
Red Sox vs. Yankees recent form and records
The New York Yankees are 5-5 in their last 10 games and have won their last game. They beat the Kansas City Royals in a thrilling three-game set, which involved late drama, including a walk-off from Jazz Chisholm Jr., in two of the three games.
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The Boston Red Sox also enjoyed some late drama. Their series win was capped off by a walk-off three-run home run courtesy of Tyler O'Neill. They are, however, just 4-6 in their last 10 but won their last game.
Players to Watch
Starting pitchers
Cooper Criswell (6-4, 4.11 ERA, 66 strikeouts) vs. Nestor Cortes (9-10, 3.97 ERA, 147 strikeouts)
Criswell has a 1.34 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 92 innings pitched.
Last start: Five innings, six hits, two earned runs, two walks and zero strikeouts.
Career vs. Yankees: 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA and seven strikeouts in two appearances
Nestor Cortes has 1.15 WHIP and 147 strikeouts in 163.1 innings pitched.
Last outing (bullpen): 4.1 innings, zero runs, zero hits, one walk and three strikeouts.
Career vs. Red Sox: 2-0 with an ERA of 5.22 and 47 strikeouts in 12 appearances.
Must-watch hitters
Red Sox
Tyler O'Neill is as hot as any MLB player right now. He had a walk-off home run on Wednesdaay night and five in his last six games. Overall, he's seven for his last 23 at-bats.
Masataka Yoshida is also hitting well right now. In his last four games, he has 13 at-bats and four hits. Three of those were four extra bases, and Yoshida has an RBI and a walk as well.
Yankees
Aaron Judge hasn't hit a home run since Aug. 25. He still has five hits, six walks, and three runs scored in his last six games. He's also the MLB leader in OPS, home runs and RBI.
Austin Wells is also a player to watch. He hit the game-tying sacrifice fly on Wednesday night in the 10th inning and has five hits in the last six games, including two XBH and eight RBI.
Red Sox vs. Yankees Baseball Betting Odds
Red Sox vs. Yankees expert picks and game prediction
The Red Sox and the Yankees are not on the same level right now, and the Yankees are at home. They have been slightly better on the road, but there's still an advantage to playing at home.
The Red Sox have turned it around, but they had previously been in a sort of free fall. The Yankees also have the best record in baseball against teams above .500, which the Red Sox currently are. The Yankees should win with a decent pitching matchup.
Runline: Over 1.5
Total Runs: Over 9
Prediction: Yankees 6-4 Red Sox
