Published Mar 3, 9:10pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Mar 3, 9:10pm ET
Grok AI
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| Boston Red Sox | -150 |
| New York Yankees | +130 |
The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, Luis Gil, hopes to rebound from his injury-plagued 2025 campaign and return to pending star status.
He had a high-grade lat strain last season that not only sidelined him, but also reduced his velocity and his effectiveness when he returned. His strikeout numbers were down substantially last season, with 41 K's in 57 innings. His control was lacking as he walked 33.
Gil has made 2 starts this spring, tossing 5 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 earned runs, and 2 home runs. He's walked 1 and struck out 5.
New York is without several key players, away at the World Baseball Classic. Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm, David Bednar, and others are not with the team.
Still, they have other questions to answer, notably Jasson Dominguez.
The Martian could be ticketed to Triple-A so he can get regular at-bats, something that is unlikely to happen if he goes north with the Bombers. He's making manager Aaron Boone and GM Brian Cashman's decision difficult so far, batting .333 with a 1.020 OPS in 17 plate appearances. He's got 2 doubles and a home run.
Garrett Crochet proved to be the ace the Red Sox thought they were getting when they surrendered a chunk of their farm system to the White Sox to acquire him and signed him to a long-term extension.
Last season, he posted a 6.3 bWAR, won 18, lost 5, led the AL in innings pitched (205.1) and strikeouts (255), had a 2.59 ERA, finished 2nd in the AL Cy Young Award voting, and 8th for the AL Most Valuable Player.
This spring, he's only tossed 2 innings with 1 walk and no K's. He's just ramping up at his own pace, so he should be expected to throw perhaps 3 innings, depending on his pitch count.
The Red Sox are without Roman Anthony, Garrett Whitlock, Ranger Suarez, Willson Contreras, Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Brayan Bello, and others are at the WBC.
Veteran minor leaguer and cup of coffee major leaguer Mickey Gasper is 30, but has gotten off to a searing spring training start, batting .500 with a triple, a homer, and 5 RBI.
Trevor Story is hitting .400 with 6 hits in 15 at-bats, including 2 doubles and a triple.
Gil has more to prove than Crochet does. The Yankees' former ROY will be a critical component for New York to account for the absence of Gerrit Cole, who is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, and the need to be cautious with Carlos Rodon, who also had surgery for a bone spur in his elbow.
Dominguez needs to keep bashing to force the team to keep him in the big leagues.
Crochet is not doing anything more than getting ready for the season. This is an opportunity for players like Gasper and Kristian Campbell to show the BoSox they can be useful once the veterans return and the team starts the regular season.
New York has played well early and with the number of players fighting for a job, they will win this game over their hated rivals in Fort Myers.
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New York Yankees +130
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