It seems hard to believe but these two AL East rivals have not met since May 18. Tonight’s game kicks off a stretch of two months where the Red Sox and Yankees will meet a total of 10 times.

The four-game series begins tonight in Yankee Stadium at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Yankees are separating themselves from the Red Sox, currently holding a six-game lead over their rivals. Boston is chasing both the Yankees and Rays for either an AL East title or a Wild Card berth. Friday’s game is the start of a 10-game road trip for Boston that could make or break its season.

The Yankees have the advantage in the season series over Boston, going 5-3 against the Red Sox. Lately the Red Sox have played mostly uninspired baseball. They are just playing .500 baseball since the beginning of July while the Yankees have gone 20-11 over the same stretch.

MLB Predictions for Red Sox Vs. Yankees: Pitching Matchup

Clay Buchholz (RHP, 11-5, 2.59 ERA) vs. Javier Vazquez (RHP, 9-7, 4.61 ERA)
Buchholz leads Boston in wins and has the best ERA amongst starters. Buchholz is coming off a solid eight-inning start against the Tigers (two runs on three hits). He was in line for his 12th win of the year until a blown save in the ninth inning.

He is in a tough spot, though, facing the Yankees. He is 0-2 with a 6.53 ERA in his career against the Yankees and that includes a five-inning outing where he surrendered nine hits, five walks and six runs in a 14-3 loss. It was his worst outing of the season. Buchholz has enjoyed more success on the road. The Red Sox are 7-2 in road games that he starts this season.

New York will counter with the veteran Vazquez, who has not been spectacular lately but has been solid. He is 3-0 over his last three decisions and the Yankees are 10-4 over the last 14 games he has started.

Red Sox Vs. Yankees Odds

The favored Yankees are listed at -150 with the Red Sox +130. The total is 9. Lines are courtesy of Bookmaker. It is only the third time this season Boston has been an underdog with Buchholz on the mound

Red Sox Vs. Yankees Trends
Boston is 7-0 in Buchholz’s last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record
‘Over’ is 5-0 in the last five meetings
Yankees are 5-2 in their last seven games following a day off
The ‘under’ is 4-2 in Buchholz’s last six starts
The ‘under’ is also 4-2 in Vazquez’s last six starts

Red Sox Vs. Yankees Picks and Predictions
On paper it appears that Boston has the pitching advantage in this game, but Buchholz has struggled immensely against the Yankees. He is a better pitcher away from Fenway Park, but the Bronx Bombers have consistently teed off on him in his career. The Yankees are playing some of their best baseball of the year and with Alex Rodriguez finally hitting home run No. 600, the distraction that was hanging around the team is now gone.

While A-Rod has scuffled, in the last 14 days three other Yankee sluggers have caught fire. Mark Teixeira (5 HR, 12 runs, 16 RBI), Nick Swisher (4 HR, 9 runs, 12 RBI) and Curtis Granderson (3 HR, 9 runs, 8 RBI, 2 SB) have carried the Yankees offense over the last two weeks.

Only David Ortiz gives the Red Sox somebody who can come close to matching those numbers recently. Boston will especially miss slugger Kevin Youkilis, who is on the disabled list and out indefinitely. New York appears to be a bargain at -150. The last five games in this rivalry have gone ‘over,’ but expect a low-scoring game to stay ‘under’ and in the Yankees favor.

Vegas Sports Informer is one of, if not THE, hottest MLB handicapper in the nation. $100 bettors are up more than $8,800 on the season for his baseball picks. Last year he was the overall money leader as well with $100 bettors making more than $10K. He is on pace to nearly double that output this season. Check Doc’s Sports homepage for the latest MLB betting articles, MLB odds and, of course, winning baseball picks.