Rogers' ROUND TRIPPER >> 70-50-3 Past 24 Days!
(MLB) NY Yankees vs. Boston,
Money Line: -168.00 Boston (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Yanks took the first of this rain-abbreviated two-game series in Fenway last night, 3-1 (Tuesday's game was postponed and will be made up later this season). Boston led the majors in runs in Ortiz's final season in 2016 but sits in the bottom half of the league almost a month into 2017 (3.90 RPG ranks 22nd) despite a lineup that still includes MVP candidate Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez and Xander Bogaerts. The Red Sox totaled 13 runs in the last six games and are 6-for-42 with runners in scoring position in that span, including 0-for-7 in Wednesday's 3-1, series-opening loss. The Yankees weren't much better on Wednesday (1-for-5 with runners in scoring position) but got the big hit when they needed it with rookie Aaron Judge's seventh HR. Nerw York is 12-7 and Boston 11-9, heading into tonight's contest.

The pitching matchup: Masahiro Tanaka (2-1 & 6.00 ERA) gets the ball for the Yankees while Chris Sale (1-1 & 0.91 ERA) gets introduced to one of baseball's greatest rivalries in the series finale for the Red Sox. Tanaka is coming off his best start of the season, limiting the White Sox to one run and six hits over seven innings on April 19. He has won his last two starts while allowing four runs in 13 1/3 innings but opened the season allowing 10 runs over just 7 2/3 innings in his first two outings. Tanaka went 1-0 with a 1.83 ERA in three starts against Boston last season but in his career, sits 5-2 with a 4.05 ERA against Boston in 10 starts (Yanks are 5-5). Chris Sale has been everything the Red Sox thought they were getting when they sent four prospects to the White Sox in exchange for the perennial Cy Young candidate over the winter. Sale struck out 13 and scattered four hits over eight scoreless innings last Thursday at Toronto and owns 42 strikeouts against six walks in 29 2/3 innings. However, Boston's struggling offense leaves him with just one win in four starts, although Boston is 3-1. He has dominated New York in 10 career appearances with a 1.17 ERA. In seven starts, he's got a 4-1 record and 1.43 ERA but his team is just 4-3.

The pick: Expect Sale to finally get some support and make Boston an 8* play.