The weekend matches in MLB are always eagerly anticipated, and this weekâs fixtures are no different. This Friday (July 15th) we have some real mouth-watering MLB clashes, so in this piece, we are focussing on the nightâs best matches for our latest MLB betting picks.
Red Sox set to bring the best out of the Yankees
Friday night sees match one in the latest series between the two sides, which sees three games taking place, all at Yankee Stadium.
- Match; New York Yankees v Boston Red Sox
- Where; Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York
- When; Friday, July 15th, 2022
- Time; 7.05 pm ET
As rivalries go, this one is right up there. There is another side in New York for Yankees fans to get hot under the collar about. But in the eyes of plenty, a win over the Red Sox for the Yankees is almost, if not, more important than a win over the New York Mets.
The Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are two of the more renowned names worldwide. If you travel to the United Kingdom or Europe and ask general sports fans to name MLB teams, the Yankees and Red Sox would be far more well known than the Mets would be.
The rivalry is fierce. Both are global brands, and both love having bragging rights over each other.
Matches against each other seem to bring the best out in both. And that was certainly the case in the previous four-match series, played at Bostonâs Fenway Park.
The Yankees were running away with it after two matches. They won the opening match 6-5 and then destroyed the Red Sox in the second match, winning 12-5. Worse still, the Red Sox were hit with the news ahead of the third match that they would be missing star performer Rafael Devers for the remaining two clashes.
A clean sweep for the Yankees was now certain? Not a bit of it. The Red Sox fought back brilliantly; winning the third match 6-5 and the final one 11-6 to split the mini-series.
Walked it off.
đ https://t.co/E0q60eNW1h pic.twitter.com/VpdqIx0n4N
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 10, 2022
That is what I mean. This series brings the best out in both teams.
Yankees Simply look to Strong
On paper, the Yankees have the upper hand. They sit top of the AL East with a percentage of .701, while the Red Sox are third in the table with a win percentage of .534. The Yankees also have home advantage. So, take the rivalry out of the equation, and for the best MLB betting sites, there can only be one winner.
Yes, the Red Sox have it in them to win, and the Yankees have stuttered a bit lately. That said, this is probably the sort of series that will get the Yankees back on track.
They're the favorites in the MLB World Series betting odds, and cheered on by a raucous home crowd on a Friday night against one of their main rivals. I have to go for a Yankees win for my betting pick.
Please check out our Bovada Sportsbook Review for more great betting offers.
Astros likely to meet Little Resistance from Athletics
Elsewhere, and in the AL East, the Houston Astros take on the Oakland Athletics. Top of the table versus the bottom of the table.
- Match; Houston Astros v Oakland Athletics
- Where; Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
- When; Friday, July 15th, 2022
- Time; 8.10 pm ET
This will be the first match in a three-match series between the sides at Houstonâs Minute Maid Stadium. The home side has been on a bit of a roll lately, and they will see this mini-series as an opportunity to put further daylight between themselves and their divisional rivals.
In all honesty, the Astros already look to have the AL East division all but won. They sit on a win percentage of .663 and have an 8-2 record (at the time of writing). The closest team to the Astros in the AL East is the Seattle Mariners, and they have needed to go on a phenomenal run of 9-1 in their last ten, just to get to a win percentage of .517.
It will take a remarkable collapse for the Astros not to win the AL East, and one I canât see coming. If anything, Dusty Bakerâs team is looking better as the season goes on. They got to the World Series final last year and lost in six matches to the Atlanta Braves. When I look at how they are finishing this season, itâs easy to see why they won their third AL Pennant last season.
Bottom Place Athletics having a Season to Forget
As for the Athletics, they are bottom of the AL East. And they are bottom for a reason. They have picked up a touch lately, and are 4-6 in their last ten. The fact they are only on a win percentage of .337 after improving tells you how bad they previously were.
Itâs difficult to see the Athletics getting anything at Minute Maid Park when this series starts. I think it is a great opportunity for the Astros to further stamp their superiority on the division, and I donât think they will miss this chance.
I see the Astros winning comfortably, and am happy to take them on the handicap spread for my betting pick.
