Red Sox vs Yankees Pick: BoSox Send Ace Crochet to the Hill in the Bronx (Jun 7)

• Our Red Sox vs Yankees pick looks at the heated rivalry and the second game of their 3-game weekend series in the Bronx
• Boston sends ace Garrett Crochet to the hill; New York responds with crafty Ryan Yarbrough
• The Red Sox are one of MLB‘s biggest busts, nearly double-digits out of 1st place and in disarray
• The Bombers are safe in 1st place in the AL East

BoSox Need to String Together Some Wins

The Red Sox were expected to be a playoff contender and challenge for the AL East title. Instead, they are well behind the Yankees with growing questions about manager Alex Cora’s future.

Since their games against the Yankees draw the most attention, a bad showing could be the tipping point to major changes. For the second game of their weekend series in the Bronx, ace Garrett Crochet takes the mound.

The lefty has been everything advertised since he was acquired from the White Sox over the winter.

In 13 starts, Crochet has a 1.98 ERA. He’s struck out 101 in 82 innings, walked 26, given up 61 hits, and 18 earned runs. He has not pitched fewer than five innings in any start this season.

Against Crochet, the Yankees’ Cody Bellinger is 2 for 2 with a home run. Aaron Judge is 1 for 2 with a single. The only other Yankees to face him are Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Paul Goldschmidt. They are a combined 0 for 5. Chisholm has drawn one walk.

Looking at the Red Sox individual numbers and they should be better than what they are in the standings. Still, Kristian Campbell has fallen flat on his face after his blazing spot and lucrative contract extension with a batting average down in the .220s. Trevor Story is below .220. Wilyer Abreu has also slowed down after a searing start.

On the mound, Tanner Houck has been horrific with a -1.6 bWAR. Lucas Giolito has an ERA over 6.

Crafty Yarbrough Has Been a Key Addition for the Bombers

Ryan Yarbrough fits the classic definition of a journeyman, having been with five organizations before signing with the Yankees. He began the season as a long reliever before entering the starting rotation in early May. The lefty with the funky motion has made five starts. In four of them, he has surrendered 1 run; in the other, he surrendered 2 runs.

Against Yarbrough, Rafael Devers is 6 for 27 with a double and a home run. Romy Gonzalez is 1 for 2 with a double. Jarren Duran is 0 for 4.

Apart from Aaron Judge and Paul Goldschmidt, the Yankees’ offense has been slowing down considerably since a hot start from the likes of Trent Grisham and Ben Rice. Chisholm recently returned from injury and is hovering around .200. Austin Wells has shown some occasional pop, but is also around .200. Anthony Volpe is notoriously streaky.

Judge still leads the majors in bWAR, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+, and more.

Red Sox vs Yankees Pick: Boston’s Crochet Gets the BoSox a Win Over Their Bitter Rivals

Although the Red Sox have been maddeningly inconsistent to the point of fans and media demanding action from owner John Henry, Crochet has been brilliant. They are still within striking distance of a playoff spot and, if they play up to their capabilities, can make a run at the Yankees. Crochet will get them a win in that direction.