Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees Odds, Analysis, MLB Betting Pick

The New York Yankees (26-10) will go for their ninth straight win and try to complete a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox (25-11) on Thursday when they host them as small home favorites. The Yankees rallied for a 9-6 victory Wednesday and have won 17-of-18 as well to move into sole possession of first place in the American League East for the first time since the end of March.

MLB betting line: The Yankees opened as -134 favorites (wager $134 to win $100); the total is at nine runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 5.5-3.1, Red Sox (MLB picks on every game)

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Why the Red Sox can pay on the MLB lines

The Red Sox had a great chance to win the last game against the Yankees, but their bullpen let them down again. In fact, for the second time in as many games, Boston's relievers faltered in the seventh inning or later. While that problem is not easily corrected, all it would have taken was a better performance in either of the first two games of this series to win at least one of them.

That said, the Red Sox have not been swept by any team this season, and they have gone a perfect 6-0 with Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0, 5.29 ERA) on the mound.

Why the Yankees can pay on the MLB lines

New York is on fire right now and playing better than any team in baseball with an MLB-best 26 wins. The Yankees are not only riding an eight-game winning streak, but they have also defeated great teams during that stretch, beating the defending World Series champion Houston Astros and the Cleveland Indians before hosting their AL East rivals.

The Yankees will send unbeaten 37-year-old CC Sabathia (2-0, 1.39) to the hill off his best outing of the season, as he pitched six shutout innings against the Indians last Friday, allowing just three hits and striking out seven batters without walking one.

Smart betting pick

Sabathia was nearly let down by his own bullpen in his last start, but he walked away with a no-decision instead in an eventual 7-6 win. The big lefty was dominant against Boston a year ago, going 4-0 with a 1.04 ERA in four starts, while Rodriguez was 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA in two outings versus New York.

This pitching matchup favors the Yankees despite the fact that both have yet to lose. Bet on the sweep here.

MLB betting trends

Boston is 14-6 in its last 20 games on the road.

Boston is 2-5 in its last seven games against New York.

The total has gone over in four of New York's last six games.

All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.