Boston Red Sox: Series predictions with streak on the line v. Yankees

The Boston Red Sox have a 4.5 game lead in the AL East heading into this weekend, where they can take command of the division.

The New York Yankees have slipped down the standings, while the Boston Red Sox are riding an 8-game winning streak into their weekend series in the Bronx.

New York will have to deal with two of Boston’s best pitchers over the weekend, and a lineup that has found their swing since the MLB Trade Deadline. It looks like a sweep could be in order, but the Red Sox should at least take 2 out of 3.

Boston shuffled Chris Sale around this past week, so now he is scheduled to face the Yankees in each of their remaining series against one another. That’s not good news for New York as the teams will play 10 times over the next 24 days.

Friday, Aug. 11th: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez v. LHP Jaime Garcia

ERod has not yet faced the Yankees in 2017, but he wasn’t stellar against them last season with a 3.31 ERA. He’s coming off of a strong outing against the Kansas City Royals in which he went 6 innings while allowing 2 runs on 4 hits.

Garcia will make his second start for New York, and they surely hope he performs better than in his first outing. Against Cleveland Garcia allowed 6 runs in just 4.2 innings.

Only Sandy Leon, Eduardo Nunez, and Hanley Ramirez have at bats against Garcia. Leon is 0-3, while Nunez and Ramirez both sit at .333.

Projection: 5-3 Red Sox win

Boston’s bats should be able to catch up to Jaime Garcia, and I believe Rodriguez will continue to improve. He has a chance to extend Boston’s winning streak to 9 straight. Craig Kimbrel should be able to slam the door closed in the 9th.

Saturday, Aug. 12th: LHP Drew Pomeranz v. RHP Luis Severino

If the Yankees frop the first game to the Red Sox in this series, their really in trouble with Pomeranz and Sale slated to start. Pomeranz struggled early in the season, but he’s settled down and has become the second best pitcher in Boston’s rotation. In his last game against the White Sox Drew went 6.1 innings, striking out 8 batters and allowing just 1 run. He’ll be up against New York’s Luis Severino.

Severino has become the Yankees best pitcher, and he’s looking for his 5th straight win. He has a 0.70 ERA in his last four starts, allowing just 2 earned runs in 25.2 innings. Boston will have to crack this ace’s puzzle to break through for a W. Hopefully Andrew Benintendi (.500) and Dustin Pedroia (.333) can keep up their pace against Severino. Others have struggled, and Mookie Betts (.182), Mitch Moreland (.167), and Xander Bogaerts (.167) will have to step up.

Projection: 3-1 Yankees win

Luis Severino is on fire right now, and past at bats for the Red Sox against him don’t trend in their favor. Severino could go 7 innings in this game, and Boston would have to get to the Yankees bullpen. I think the streak ends here before Chris Sale looks to start a new one.

Sunday, Aug. 13th: LHP Chris Sale v. LHP Jordan Montgomery

More from Chowder and Champions

Chris Sale is going to win the AL Cy Young this year. Meanwhile, New York will likely send Jordan Montgomery to the mound, calling him up from Triple-A to make a spot start for C.C. Sabathia.

Sabathia had right knee pain, and only made it through 3 innings in his last start.

Sale was again dominant in his last outing, this time against the Tampa Bay Rays. He struckout 13 batters through 8 innings, and he’s on pace to break Pedro Martinez’s single season Red Sox record. Hopefully Sale can go 8 innings again before handing the ball over to Kimbrel for a 1-2-3 9th.

Projection: 8-0 Red Sox win

Chris Sale is going to silence New York with one of his best outings of the season. Aaron Judge won’t hit a single home run, and the Yankees will have just 4 men in scoring position all night.

On the other side of things, Boston will light up Montgomery for 5 runs over the first 2 innings. Things won’t get much better for New York the rest of the way as he gives up another run before being pulled in the 4th. The Yankees bullpen can’t contain the offense and 3 more runs are added for Boston before the end of the night. The Red Sox would then have a 6.5 game lead over the Yankees, with a weekend series at Fenway coming up.

Next: Chris Sale is racing Corey Kluber for the AL Cy Young

New York could actually find themselves behind Tampa Bay in the AL East if the Rays can handle their business against the Indians like they did Thursday night. Boston should be sitting pretty atop the division on Monday morning either way. So, do you think the Red Sox will take 2 out of 3 like I do, or do you think they’re going to get the sweep and push it to a 7.5 game lead? Let me know what your thinking ahead of this Red Sox – Yankees weekend series on Twitter @CandCFansided!

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