The storied rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox takes center stage on "Sunday Night Baseball," though the matchup lacks some of its traditional luster this season. The Yankees are contending with the absence of star outfielder Aaron Judge, who remains on the injured list, while the Red Sox are experiencing what the New York Post describes as "organizational disarray."
Despite Boston's offensive struggles and defensive lapses, their pitching staff has been a bright spot, featuring a top-10 rotation and a top-3 bullpen in earned run average. Pitcher Sonny Gray, acquired by the Red Sox, has been a significant contributor, delivering strong performances since joining the team. In his 14 starts, Gray has posted a 9-1 record with a 2.95 ERA through 76 1/3 innings, demonstrating elite command and efficiency. As he plays on an expiring contract, each start is crucial with the trade deadline approaching.
The Yankees will counter with Carlos Rodón, who has been gradually returning to form after elbow surgery. Rodón has become a reliable arm in the Yankees' rotation, holding a 4-2 record with a 3.70 ERA. However, his walk rate has increased to 4.79 per nine innings.
Offensively, the Yankees' performance has notably declined in the absence of Aaron Judge. Before his injury, the team ranked second in weighted runs created plus (wRC+); without him, that ranking has dropped to 14th. Through the first two games of the current series at Fenway Park, the Yankees have struggled offensively, hitting .229/.262/.490.
Conversely, the Red Sox have shown signs of offensive rhythm in the series, outscoring the Yankees 12-4 in the initial games. Caleb Durbin has been a notable contributor for Boston, recording multi-hit games in six of his last eight contests leading into Saturday.
The betting market has adjusted to the teams' recent performances, with the Yankees entering Sunday as even-money underdogs, while the Red Sox are listed at -118 on the moneyline. The New York Post's prediction favors the Red Sox moneyline for the primetime game.