1:05PM ET BOS Red Sox (+165) vs NY Yankees (-198)
Josh Winckowski vs Gerrit Cole
The New York Yankees are in a tailspin, having lost four straight games in brutal fashion. Last night's heart-wrenching loss with the game basically over, two outs and nobody on in the 9th inning, was the epitome of rock bottom for a baseball team. Today, the Yankees are in full desperation mode as they face their arch-rivals again, needing a win badly to halt their downward spiral. With the media and fans all over them about the effort on the field, today’s game against the Red Sox is not just another divisional matchup; it’s a pivotal moment for the Yankees to reclaim some momentum and confidence.
Pitching Matchup: Cole vs. Wincowski
The Yankees are turning to their ace, Gerrit Cole, to stop the bleeding. Cole has been the cornerstone of their rotation, and there is no better candidate to pitch in such a critical game. After shaking the rust off Cole looked like himself in his last start against the Blue Jays. But his track record and ability to dominate make him a formidable force, especially in high-pressure situations. Expect Cole to come out strong and set the tone early for the Yankees.
On the other hand, Josh Winckowski has shown promise since being called back up to the majors, but his pitch mix could be problematic against the Yankees. Winckowski lacks strikeout stuff and heavily relies on his defense, which is one of the weakest in baseball. This plays right into the hands of the Yankees, who lead the league in walk rate and are top 10 in strikeout rate. The Yankees’ disciplined approach at the plate should create scoring opportunities against Winckowski. So despite their recent struggles, the Yankees' offense has the potential to break out, especially against a pitcher like Winckowski.