Yankees vs. Red Sox Game 2 Betting Preview: Starters, HR Odds & Prediction

The baseball world turns very quickly once the Wild Card series gets underway during the MLB postseason. Suddenly, four teams are playing for their season today, including the slugging New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers struck first on the scoreboard in Game 1, but that slim lead evaporated and momentum swung the Red Sox direction in the 3-1 loss for New York. The Yankees will turn to Carlos Rodon to avoid the quick postseason exit at the hands of their biggest rivals as Game 2 gets underway at 6 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.  

Game 2 Starters – Rodon vs. Bello

Rodon has a 4-3 record in seven starts against the Red Sox during the regular season, including a 1-2 record this season. Boston will likely feel confident taking swings against the 32-year-old pitcher with several games with an earned run average (ERA) above five over the last two seasons. Earlier this summer, Rodon was torched for eight runs over a pair of losses to Boston on June 8 and June 14.

New York’s starter has also shut down the Red Sox with a one-hit outing over 5.2 innings in late August. The Yankees success in Game 2 will hinge largely upon which version of Rodon shows up for this crucial game in a short Wild Card series. 

Boston sends Brayan Bello to the bump looking to secure the series win for Boston. The 26-year-old starter has also faced New York three times this season, finishing with a 2-1 record against the Bronx Bombers. Bello allowed five hits and four earned runs over five innings on Sept. 13 in a loss to New York. Earlier this summer, the fourth-year MLB starter shut down New York’s offense with back-to-back shutouts on June 15 and Aug. 22. He pitched seven innings and allowed three hits in each of those Red Sox wins. 

Yankees-Red Sox Lines, Odds, & More

Despite a tight loss in Game 1, the Yankees are still a home favorite against Boston heading into Game 2. The line has slightly shifted in Boston’s favor from Game 1 as New York was listed as a -2.5 run favorite ahead of yesterday’s loss. Still, with their backs against the wall, the Yankees will need to do whatever possible to extend their 2025 postseason dreams for at least one more October sleep. 

Yankees Home Run Odds in Game 2 

Anthony Volpe’s solo round-tripper was the only home run celebration in Game 1 of the Wild Card series between the Yankees and the Red Sox. With a hitter-friendly park like Yankee Stadium, that script could be flipped on its head tonight in Game 2. Here are the best odds for a Bronx Bomber home run celebration tonight headlined by Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton: 

Game 2 Prediction – Yankees 3, Red Sox 2

Rodon will give the Yankees some length with a five-inning outing, allowing less than two runs. He exits with a lead and turns things over to Aaron Boone’s bullpen. Things won’t initially work out as Boston ties the game once Rodon walks to the clubhouse. The Yankees will respond to adversity with a massive late home run swing to send Yankees fans scrambling to the team website to secure tickets for a winner-take-all Game 3 in New York on Thursday night.