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In a rarity, Friday’s game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox is not nationally televised – most Yanks-Sox games are. New York will be a road favorite on the MLB odds behind lefty Nestor Cortes, a likely All-Star.

How to Bet Yankees at Red Sox MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Friday, 7:10 PM ET
Where: Fenway Park
Probable pitchers (away/home): Nestor Cortes/Michael Wacha or TBA
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
Opening MLB Lines: TBA (on whether Wacha can pitch)

Why Bet on NY Yankees?

In a major surprise, the Yankees didn’t start Aaron Judge in Thursday’s series opener. He’s dealing with a little soreness but should be back in there Friday. Judge went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk in Wednesday’s dominant win over the Pirates. In the top of the eighth, Judge crushed a 114.7-mph grand slam to left field — his league-leading 30th home run of the year.

Judge is the fourth Yankees player to hit 30HR within his first 80 games of a season and was the eighth-fastest (in terms of games played) to reach the mark in club history, trailing only Babe Ruth (63G in 1928, 67G in 1930, 71G in 1921 and 79G in 1927), Roger Maris (75G in 1961 and 78G in 1960) and Mickey Mantle (77G in 1960). Judge has hit 30HR prior to the All-Star break for the second time (also 30HR in 2017), becoming the first player in Yankees history (since the All-Star Game was established in 1933) to hit 30HR multiple times before the All-Star break.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo has missed the past three games with back issues. Rizzo hitting .223 with 22 homers, 52 RBI and .844 OPS in 77 games. He has been struggling the last two weeks with a .118 average (4-for-34) and three homers in his last 11 games. His 22HR are tied for the fifth-most in the Majors and tied for the fourth-most in the AL. His 52RBI are the ninth-most in the AL.

“This is kind of something he’s talked about he’s had it seems like once a year,” Manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s a day-to-day thing. Hopefully he’ll continue to improve with the rehab and we’ll see where we’re at (Friday).”

It’s lefty Nestor Cortes (7-3, 2.44) on the mound Friday. Cortes allowed a run over six innings in last Saturday’s win over the Guardians. He also scattered three hits and struck out six. Outside of an Amed Rosario solo home run in the bottom of the first, Cortes was in the zone as he attacked the strike zone with his three most-used offerings (his fastball, cutter, and slider) and earned a solid 31 percent called plus swinging strike rate.

Cortes has allowed 3R-or-fewer in 13 of his 15 starts this season, including 2R-or-fewer in 11 starts, 1R-or-fewer in eight starts and four scoreless starts. But he’s 2-2 with a 4.68 ERA (25.0IP, 13ER) over his last five starts (since 6/8) after going 5-1 with a 1.50 ERA (60.0IP, 10ER) over his first 10 starts to begin the season.

Why Bet on Boston?

Sox All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers missed two games earlier this week but was back in the lineup Thursday. Devers has been named a finalist for the MLB All-Star Ballot. He could become the 1st Red Sox player to start consecutive All-Star Games at 3rd base since Wade Boggs (7 straight, 1986-92).

The Red Sox are closing the season’s 1^st half with a stretch of 17 consecutive days with a game, matching their longest streak of the season. They will also open the 2nd half with a stretch of 17 consecutive days with a game from 7/22-8/7. Sixteen of the Red Sox’ final 80 games this season are against the Yankees (20.0%).

The Red Sox were 10-19 after getting swept at home by the White Sox from 5/6-8. Since 5/10, they are 35-18 (.660) and lead MLB in AVG (.278), OBP (.347), and OPS (.798), and rank 2nd runs per game (5.4). The Red Sox have scored 5+ runs in a game 40 times, tied for most in the AL. They are 28-4 in such games since 5/10, after starting the season 4-4.

Defensively, the Red Sox rank T-9th in MLB in defensive runs saved (26), after ranking 18th in 2021 (4). Trevor Story (8) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (5) lead the Sox in DRS. Story leads AL 2nd basemen in DRS, trailing only the Cardinals’ Tommy Edman (11) for the MLB lead at the position.

Before Thursday’s game, Boston placed reliever Tyler Danish on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort. Danish will be out for at least a couple of weeks. The right-hander has a 4.02 ERA over 26 appearances.

Michael Wacha (6-1) is scheduled Boston starter Friday but it’s more than likely he will go. Wacha was scratched from his last turn in the Red Sox rotation this past Monday against the Rays because of arm fatigue — he’s called it “heavy arm”. The 31-year-old right-hander holds a 2.69 ERA through 70 1/3 innings (13 starts) this season for Boston.

Not clear who Boston might go with if not Wacha. On Monday, Austin Davis took Wacha’s place for a spot start, followed by Kutter Crawford. The duo combined for 7 1/3 shutout innings in the Red Sox’s 4-0 win. It could be those two again.