Last night was a game to forget for the Yankees. They turned up at Fenway Park for the first time this season at 5-5, trying to put a stop to a Red Sox team that had won eight straight. Instead they ran into a buzz-saw of a lineup that racked up a 14-1 win.
Mookie Betts was the master of ceremonies for Boston, going 4-for-4 with a grand slam and two doubles, while Andrew Benintendi and Hanley Ramirez joined in with multi-hit games while Chris Sale was dominant on the mound. The big leftie struck out eight in six innings, with a bomb from Aaron Judge the only damage the Yankees could muster.
Masahiro Tanaka (RHP) Vs. David Price (LHP)
Tanaka takes the ball tonight, trying to build on a solid start to the 2018 season. He's gone at least six innings and struck out at least seven in both of his starts so far, giving up just four runs for a 2.92 ERA. It is a huge improvement over last season, when he was a walking disaster. Tanaka is yet to issue a free pass this season and looks to be back near his best, which is a massive boost for the Yankees.
Speaking of back to his best, David Price has been electric in his two starts so far. Both against the Rays, he is 2-0 without allowing a run, logging seven innings and five K's in both starts.
He has been painting the corners of the strike zone and is obviously healthy, which is a nice change after last season.
Projected lineups
Yankees Lineup | Home Runs | Batting Average | On-Base Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
Walker, 2B | 0 | .235 | .333 |
Judge, RF | 3 | .333 | .462 |
Stanton, DH | 3 | .196 | .288 |
Sanchez, C | 1 | .056 | .081 |
Gregorius, SS | 3 | .389 | .522 |
Austin, 1B | 2 | .250 | .314 |
Gardner, CF | 1 | .238 | .347 |
Andujar, 3B | 0 | .125 | .154 |
Robinson, LF | 0 | .333 | .500 |
Red Sox Lineup | Home Runs | Batting Average | On-Base Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
Betts, RF | 2 | .432 | .533 |
Benintendi, LF | 0 | .206 | .400 |
Ramirez, 1B | 1 | .359 | .395 |
Martinez, DH | 1 | .222 | .275 |
Devers, 3B | 1 | .294 | .390 |
Nunez, 2B | 1 | .243 | .282 |
Bradley Jr, CF | 0 | .133 | .235 |
Vazquez, C | 0 | .258 | .281 |
Holt, SS | 0 | .000 | .286 |
Who's hot, and who's not
The Yankees are seeing strong play from Judge right now. Giancarlo Stanton has been up and down, mixing a lot of strikeouts into his game at just the wrong time.
The big worry for New York is the play of Gary Sanchez. He has been dreadful at the plate so far, and with plenty injury issues to worry about his slump is coming at the wrong time.
The Red Sox lineup is powered by Betts and Hanley Ramirez right now, and that is no bad thing. While the power is noticeably absent from Boston, runs are still pouring in thanks to strong on-base skills at the top of the order and the likes of Rafael Devers below them able to drive them home.
The loss of Xander Bogaerts hurts them, as it forces Brock Holt into the lineup, but those zeros shouldn't hang around for too long next to his name.
Prediction: Red Sox 5 - 3 Yankees
It is tough to pick against the Sox right now with the way the whole team is playing. Their starters have been electric, and while Price has only faced the Rays so far he is showing the kind of performances that made him so deadly just a few years ago.
The Red Sox have hit Tanaka pretty well, with the Japanese starter owning a 3.65 ERA against them while newcomer JD Martinez has hit two homers in nine at-bats against him.Equally though, the Yankees have a strong history against Price, with Sanchez and Didi Gregorius doing particularly well.
Still, the hot hand belongs to Boston, and with a rested Craig Kimbrel expect them to be able to shut down any late-inning rally that could appear.
Channel info
The game will be broadcast live on WPIX and NESN, with MLB.tv streaming live for out of market subscribers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:0pm ET.
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