New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox 8/14/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The New York Yankees will close out a series with their hated rival Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday Night Baseball. The Yankees have lost three straight games, and four of their last five, in what has been a tough second half of the season for the Yankees. The Yankees had the best record in baseball at the All-Star break, but are now second in the AL behind the Astros. Boston has had some struggles this season and after losing six of their last ten now find themselves in last place, 15.5 games back of the Yankees.

New York is second in the league in scoring offense averaging 5.25 runs per game but they have gone cold with just 1.67 runs per game across their last three games. Aaron Judge is having one of the best seasons in recent MLB history, he leads the MLB in home runs (46), RBIs (100), and OPS (1.086). Judge is on pace to shatter his career highs in nearly every category and will receive a massive contract this offseason.

The right-handed Jameson Taillon will get the start for the Yankees, he’s 11-2 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 120.2 innings of work this season. Taillon allowed three runs on three hits and struck out six in his last start and earned the win as the Yankees beat the Mariners 9-4. Taillon has a career 3.84 ERA and this is on track to be one of the best seasons of his career. 

Boston is just outside the top-10 of the MLB in scoring offense averaging 4.48 runs per game which ranks 12th in scoring. Third baseman Rafael Devers has led the team with 24 home runs and 60 RBIs and is hitting .307 on the year. Devers will be a free agent this season and the Red Sox seemingly are willing to let him walk while getting nothing in return. 

The Red Sox will start right-hander Michael Wacha who is 6-1 on the season with a 2.69 ERA in 70.1 innings this season. Wacha hasn’t started a game since late June with a shoulder injury and this will be his first start back. Wacha allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings of work and was having one of the best seasons of his career before his injury. Wacha has a career 4.05 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.