New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox
Over/Under: 9.5
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. PT
TV: MLB Network
Probable pitchers: James Paxton (12-6, 4.16 ERA) vs. Eduardo Rodriguez (17-5, 3.81 ERA)
The final game of 2019 in The Rivalry takes place tonight with a pretty good starting pitching matchup. Bettors have to decide if the season-series high-scoring trend between these two eternal enemies will play out once more, or can two streaking pitchers continue their respective runs.
I’m with the latter thinking. For one, it’s pretty obvious that Paxton is peaking right now. When the southpaw is on his game, he can be as dominant as any other ace in the game and that’s been illustrated once again in his last seven assignments.
In fact, Paxton won all seven, putting together a pretty 2.98 ERA and 0.94 WHIP within this stretch. Perhaps most notable in these 42.1 innings, Paxton also picked up 51 K’s. Two of the last three starts were double-digit strikeout performances.
Additionally, Paxton has been mostly good against the Sox during his first campaign in New York. In three meetings, he registered a pair of quality starts, including a dominant 12-strikeout, scoreless effort.
Rodriguez has been very solid in his own right, and is unquestionably one of the main reasons why Boston is still (somewhat) afloat. He’s provided steadiness in his 29 starts and it appears Rodriguez couldn’t be hotter based on his most recent work.
The fifth-year left-hander has recorded at least seven innings in three of his last four starts, which is actually the first time he’s gone that distance in a four-start span in his career. Strong pitching is the reason Rodriguez is going so deep into the game.
Like his counterpart, Rodriguez has been effective against tonight’s opponent this season. He’s lasted into the sixth inning or longer in each of the three meetings and for his career now, the 26-year owns a respectable 4.03 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) opposite the Yanks.
Wait like I am up until first pitch to see if the total ticks back up to 10 before placing your wager. Play: UNDER 9.5
Yesterday’s Result: Royals-Marlins Under 8.5 (“loss”)
2019 MLB Over/Under Betting Record*: 77-72-10, -4.1 units
*Each bet graded as if it were to win 1 unit