Yankees and Red Sox Four Game Series Starts Tonight

Sports Betting News - August 6th, 2009 - Written by Bruce

The heated rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox will once again get under way when they start a four game series in New York on Thursday. There is plenty on the line as the two teams are seperated by only two and half games for the AL East lead. The Yankees (65-42) will be looking to exact revenge as the Red Sox (62-44) have beat their rivals eight straight times this year. Even though the Yankees have the lead in the division, this is a very important series for them since they have failed to beat Boston even once this year. Both teams will be looking to grasp control of the division as the season's end is getting closer and closer. New York is coming into the game on a three game winning streak as they swept the Blue Jays in Toronto. Boston is coming off back to back losses at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Both of these teams have high hopes they gear for the stretch run of the season. They are each considered two of the best teams in the major leagues and their impressive records show it. The Yankees trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by only a half game for the best record in major league baseball. While New York appeared to have the number of every other team in the league, their inability to beat their rivals the Red Sox so far this year has to be bothering them. Dating back to last year, Boston has won nine straight games against New York. This is the longest losing streak the Yankees have had against them since all the way back in 1912. With the four game series getting under way tonight, it will be crucial for both teams to play well to position themselves to win the division. The eight games the Yankees have lost so far this year were all well back at the early stages of the season. If the Yankees somehow get swept again in this series, Boston will overtake them for the division lead and would likey hurt the psyche of New York.

The Yankees and Red Sox have been heated rivals for nearly 100 years now. New York has the advantage for the all time series lead with their 1,119 wins compared to Boston's 940 wins. To this day the two teams remain intense rivals and there is always plenty of drama surrounding them when they meet. This weekend's series features four great pitching match ups which will be a big key to which team will come on top. Thursday night's game has Joba Chamberlain (7-2, 3.58 ERA) pitching for New York, going up against John Smoltz (2-4, 7.12 ERA). On Friday the Yankees will have A.J. Burnett (10-5, 3.89 ERA) up against Josh Beckett (13-4, 3.27 ERA). New York's CC Sabathia (11-7, 3.95 ERA) will start for on Saturday going up against Boston's Clay Buchholz (1-1, 6.15 ERA). On Sunday, the final game of the series will feature the Yankees Andy Pettitte (9-6, 4.35 ERA) going up against Boston's Jon Lester (9-7, 3.79 ERA). For tonight's Game 1, the Yankees are listed as a -210 favorite, while the Red Sox are the underdogs at +175. Check out Bodog Sportsbook for all of your Yankees vs. Red Sox betting needs.

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