Sunday, June 29, 2014, 8:05 PM on ESPN

Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York

Boston Red Sox - Lackey, J (8-5) vs. New York Yankees - Whitley, C (3-1)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Sunday night, the Boston Red Sox will send John lackey to the hill as they renew their rivalry against the New York Yankees and Chase Whitley.   Lackey makes his 17th start of the season as Whitley makes his 9th.

John Lackey saw his record drop to 8 – 5 and his ERA rise to 3.45 after taking the loss in his last start.  Lackey was touched up for 7 runs on 7 hits (including a homer) in just 3.2 innings of work.  He walked 2 while striking out 3.  It was his worst outing of the year but he should be able to shake it off and move on.  Lackey is still well on track to outpace his numbers from 2013 when he went 10 – 13 with a 3.52 ERA in 29 starts.

Last season, Lackey was 2 – 1 with a 5.76 ERA in 4 starts against the Yankees.   This season his is 1- 1 in 2 starts against New York.  

Chase Whitley took his 1st loss of the season in his last start and that lowered his record to 3 – 1 as his ERA increased over a run and a half to 4.07.  In the loss, Whitley was lit up for 8 runs and 11 hits (including a home run) in just 3.1 innings.  He walked 3 and struck out 2.  The rookie righty had looked pretty good up until that start and will probably regain his earlier form if he can move past that rough outing. 

Whitley will face the Red Sox for the first time in his career and if he can get past the fact that he is facing Boston, he should be able to give a solid effort in this one.      

Boston Red Sox Betting Trends

Boston Red Sox are 30-46-3 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Boston Red Sox is -0.4

New York Yankees Betting Trends

New York Yankees are 35-42-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for New York Yankees is -0.4

Injuries to Watch

Boston Red Sox

06/02/14 1B Mike Carp Foot 15-day DL (6/1)
05/31/14 1B Ryan Lavarnway Wrist 60-day DL (5/30)
05/24/14 RF Shane Victorino Hamstring 15-day DL (5/24)
05/17/14 3B Will Middlebrooks Finger 15-day DL (5/16)

New York Yankees

05/11/14 P CC Sabathia Knee 15-day DL (5/11)
05/06/14 P Michael Pineda Shoulder 60-day DL (4/24)
04/20/14 P Ivan Nova Elbow 60-day DL (4/20); out for season

Tony's Pick: Take Boston

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink