Red Sox vs Yankees Prediction, Picks, Odds - August 19

Gerrit Cole aims to help the struggling Yankees end their six-game losing streak against the Red Sox.

The New York Yankees are currently in the midst of a disappointing season, but one bright spot has been starting pitcher Gerrit Cole. On Saturday afternoon, the Yankees will look to snap their six-game losing streak as they take on the Boston Red Sox in the second game of a three-game series.

In a year filled with disappointment for the Yankees, Cole has been a standout performer. With a record of 10-3 and an impressive 2.76 ERA, Cole has been a reliable force on the mound. In his 25 starts, the Yankees have managed to win 16 games. Although the team has struggled in recent outings, Cole has consistently performed well, allowing more than two runs in just one of his last six starts.

Cole has also had success against the Red Sox this season, giving up only two runs on seven hits in their previous meeting on June 9. Despite his strong performance, the Yankees were unable to provide enough run support, resulting in a 3-2 loss. This highlights the Yankees' main issue this season – their offense. Expected to have a powerful lineup, the Yankees have struggled to score runs, averaging just 4.24 runs per game, which ranks 23rd in the league. Even with the return of Aaron Judge, the team has struggled to find consistency at the plate, scoring only 3.3 runs per game in their last 10 contests.

The Yankees may have a chance to find success against Red Sox starter Kutter Crawford, who has a 4.48 ERA in his 15 starts this season. However, Crawford has shown improvement as the season has progressed, with a 3.47 ERA in his last 10 starts. Despite this improvement, opposing batters are hitting just .236 off Crawford.

With Cole's dominance on the mound and the Yankees' struggling offense, it is unlikely that many runs will be scored in this game. Whether Cole can lead the Yankees to victory or if the offense will let him down again remains to be seen. However, it is anticipated that this will be a low-scoring affair.

In terms of betting, it is recommended to bet on the Under, as both teams are not expected to put up many runs. Additionally, it is advisable to bet on the Yankees on the moneyline, as they are deserving favorites at home with Cole as the starting pitcher. Despite their recent struggles, the odds for the Yankees are more reasonable than they should be, making it a strong addition to a betting parlay. Furthermore, it is recommended to bet on Cole recording at least six strikeouts in the game, as he has consistently achieved this in his recent starts.

In terms of the betting odds, the Yankees are currently favored at -165 on the moneyline, while the Red Sox are considered underdogs at +142. The Yankees have been a disappointment this season, resulting in losses for bettors, while the Red Sox have made a slight profit. However, despite the Yankees' recent struggles, it is believed that Cole will be the key to breaking their losing streak, making the Yankees a favorable choice in this matchup.

The total for the game is set at 8.5 runs, with the Under being the favorite. Given the factors mentioned earlier, such as Cole's reliability and the Yankees' struggling offense, it is expected that the game will have a low-scoring outcome.

As for the starting pitchers, Kutter Crawford has shown improvement throughout the season, particularly as a starter. However, his main weakness has been giving up home runs. On the other hand, Gerrit Cole has been a standout performer for the Yankees, leading the American League in various pitching categories. Despite his team's struggles, Cole is a strong contender for the AL Cy Young Award.

In his most recent outing, Cole allowed two runs on six hits over six innings against the Miami Marlins on August 13. Overall, Cole has been a consistent force for the Yankees and will look to continue his success against the Red Sox.