Baseball's most bitter rivalry renews today as the New York Yankees are in Boston to begin a three game set with the reeling Red Sox. This afternoon's AL East clash is scheduled to get underway at 2:05pm ET at Fenway Park. MLB Odds and Predictions have Boston listed as a -140 moneyline favorite and the Over/Under set at 10.
New York may or may not be catching the beleaguered Red Sox at the right time, it is difficult to say given Boston's jaw 
dropping start to the season. Terry Francona's squad comes into today's game sporting an 0-6 record after getting swept on the road by the Rangers and Indians.
The Red Sox produced a lackluster 16 runs in their first two series, but yesterday was their worst performance as they managed four hits and no runs in a 1-0 loss to Cleveland. Boston presently ranks 29th in batting average (.181), 28th in on-base percentage (.269), and 29th in slugging percentage (.275), despite possessing one of the most feared lineups in all of baseball.
Perhaps they can turn those numbers around a bit today at the hitter friendly Fenway Park, where they will face the Yanks Phil Hughes. Boston has had success against the young right hander in the past, cranking out 38 hits and 21 earned runs in 38 innings against him.
New York (4-2), which has won five of its last nine at Boston, will attempt to rough up veteran hurler John Lackey. Lackey, a notoriously slow starter, looks primed for a beating after his last outing, a 3.2 inning, 10 hit, nine earned run effort against Texas (lost 5-12).
Lackey's numbers versus the Yankees are not that great either. In 19 career appearances against the Bronx Bombers the big right hander has procured a 6-8 record to go along with a 4.43 ERA. Lackey did pitch well in his last outing against New York, though, presiding over an 8-4 victory at Fenway after allowing six hits and two earned runs in 7.2 innings of work.
Take the Red Sox today, they are too good to see this streak continue, especially at home.
Yankees vs Red Sox Odds 2011 MLB Predictions:
New York Yankees +1.5 (-160), Over 10 (-110), +120 (Moneyline)
Boston Red Sox -1.5 (+140), Under 10 (-110), -140 (Moneyline)
