Red Sox vs. Yankees 7/15 Injury Report and Series Preview

Update: The Red Sox won 5-4 in 11 innings.

The biggest rivalry in baseball will kick off the weekend with the first place New York Yankees hosting the floundering third place Boston Red Sox. Regardless of who the better squad is, when these two teams face off passion takes over. In the 2,310th meeting between the two, one team is getting healthier while another is beginning to pile up the injuries.

Red Sox Injury Report

Boston, losers of four straight, have been decimated by injury all season particular to their pitching staff.

There was a time in June when the Red Sox had 4/5 of their SPs on the IL list (Sale, Eovaldi, Wacha and Hill) not including converted RP Garret Whitlock who was dazzling after turning into a starter but was later placed on IL due to a hip issue. Whitlock will return this weekend after missing over a month.

Another pitcher who will return and start Friday after sitting on the injured list is Nathan Eovaldi. The former Yankee hasn’t pitched since June 8 due to back spasms and will go in having not given up a run in his last two starts prior to injury.

On offense the main issues are the health of SS Trevor Story and CF Kike Hernandez. The star shortstop has missed the last two games after being struck by a 89mph sinker on Tuesday and although the X-rays came back negative, the Red Sox maybe caution and sit their stud SS for another game. The new free agent signee has performed well driving in 58 runs so far this season.

In regards to Hernandez, the former Dodger has been nursing a hip issue and visited a specialist in New York recently signaling that the outfielder is not yet close to returning. Youngster Jarren Duran has filled in well at CF batting a solid .273 on the season.

Yankees Injury Report

The Bronx Bombers hold the best record in baseball in large part to their home run prowess and something they haven’t had in years, consistent starting pitching.

This however could come crashing down with the recent news that SP Luis Severino will likely miss significant time due to a lat strain. 

After leaving his most recent start due what was reported as right shoulder tightness, the starter out of the Dominican Republic was subsequently placed on the 15-day IL with our panel of Pro Baseball Docs believing if he recovers smoothly a mid-August return is in play. The SP has had TJ surgery in the past on top of past lat issues.

On top of the hit to their starting pitching, the offense has recently endured bruises to starters CF Aaron Hicks and 3B Josh Donaldson. Hicks fouled a ball sharply off his shin but suffered no broken bones although soreness will likely keep him sidelined through the All-Star break.

Donaldson on the other hand (no pun intended), was struck with a 95mph fastball Thursday and with X-ray results not yet released, our team of Pro Baseball Docs have not ruled out a fracture just yet. 

Regardless if a fracture did not occur, the right hand will be experiencing substantial swelling and is likely why Donaldson is out of the lineup tonight.

Betting Implications/Injury-Based Plays

Like we wrote above, the Red Sox are in the midst of a four game losing streak but are becoming healthier bye the day. With pitchers Whitlock, Eovaldi returning combined with Yankees hitters Hicks, Donaldson sidelined the Red Sox hold the health advantage going into the weekend series.

Here is our Injury-based play for the series opener: (line from FanDuel Sportsbook)

Red Sox +144 - The Red Sox have key players returning to the lineup and hold the health advantage, Boston took two games from New York last series and should strike first with NY hampered on offense, returning SP Eovaldi hasn’t given up a run in his last two starts before injury