Yankees at Red Sox prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 13

It's Friday, June 13 and the Yankees (42-25) are in Boston to take on the Red Sox (34-36). Ryan Yarbrough is slated to take the mound for New York against Garrett Crochet for Boston.

The Yankees and Red Sox meet for the second series in a week, just this time in New York. Boston won the series 2-1 after New York took Game 1, but the bats were flying with scores of 9-6, 10-7, and 11-7.

New York is on a three-game winning streak after sweeping Kansas City, while Boston has won the past two and four of the last five outings.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Yankees at Red Sox

  • Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Fenway Park
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming: YES, NESN, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Yankees at the Red Sox

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Yankees (+119), Red Sox (-142)
  • Spread:  Red Sox -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Yankees at Red Sox

  • Pitching matchup for June 13, 2025: Ryan Yarbrough vs. Garrett Crochet
    • Yankees: Ryan Yarbrough, (3-1, 4.17 ERA)
      Last outing: 4.0 Innings Pitched, 8 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts
    • Red Sox: Garrett Crochet, (6-4, 2.35 ERA)
      Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 5 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 9 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Red Sox

Rotoworld Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes sprinkles on Aaron Judge to hit .400 by the All-Star break (+1300) and the season (+5500):

Aaron Judge is currently hitting .3942 and no Yankee has ever hit .400 let alone the last MLB player being Ted Williams in 1941. Judge is ripping this season and hitting .353 this month with nine hits through 10 games.

With Red Sox up, then the Angels, Orioles, Reds, and Athletics over the next four series — I see a lot of hits coming for Judge, so I played the +1300 for .400 by the All-Star break and sprinkled +5500 for the season.”

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday’s game between the Yankees and the Red Sox:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Yankees at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Yankees at Red Sox

  • Boston is 2-1 ATS and on the ML against New York this season
  • The Over is 3-0 when Boston and New York played this season
  • The Yankees have won 4 straight road games
  • The Yankees' last 3 games versus the Red Sox have gone over the Total
  • Aaron Judge recorded three hits in two of three games versus Boston this season (5 runs, 5 RBI, 2 HR)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

White Sox at Rangers prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 13

It's Friday, June 13 and the White Sox (23-46) are in Arlington to take on the Rangers (33-36). Adrian Houser is slated to take the mound for Chicago against Texas.

The Rangers have won four of the past five games and are coming off 2-1 series victories over the Nationals and Twins. The White Sox have dropped two straight and three of the previous four games after three consecutive wins.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch White Sox at Rangers

  • Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
  • Time: 8:05PM EST
  • Site: Globe Life Field
  • City: Arlington, TX
  • Network/Streaming: CHSN, CW33

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the White Sox at the Rangers

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: White Sox (+240), Rangers (-295)
  • Spread:  Rangers -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for White Sox at Rangers

  • Pitching matchup for June 13, 2025: Adrian Houser vs. TBA
    • White Sox: Adrian Houser, (2-1, 1.48 ERA)
      Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 6 Strikeouts
    • Rangers: TBA

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the White Sox and the Rangers

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday’s game between the White Sox and the Rangers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Texas Rangers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago White Sox at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of White Sox at Rangers

  • Texas is 4-1 on the ML in the past two games
  • Chicago is 4-0 ATS when Adrian Houser pitches this season
  • Chicago is 2-2 on the ML when Adrian Houser pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Kodai Senga's injury stings, but Mets have more than enough depth to withstand it

When Mets ace Kodai Senga crumpled to the grass in the sixth inning on Thursday after snagging an errant throw from Pete Alonso on a play at first base, it was understandable that some immediately saw a parallel between the current situation and what happened last season.

Last July 26, in what was his first start of the season after battling back from injuries -- and while in the midst of twirling a gem against the Braves -- Senga suffered a serious calf injury while breaking off the mound.

That injury ended his regular season, and left him searching for his best stuff in the couple of surprise postseason appearances he made.

But aside from the sight of Senga in pain on the field, there really isn't much of a comparison between what happened last year and what happened on Thursday -- not when it comes to the potential fallout and impact.

First, the injury Senga suffered on Thursday will not be ending his regular season. An MRI will reveal the severity and his timeline to return, but this is not a catastrophic situation for him.

Second, the Mets have two other starters -- Clay Holmes and David Peterson -- who are pitching like top of the rotation arms, which should blunt the loss a bit.

Third, the 2025 Mets are not the 2024 Mets. This version has a 45-24 record, which is the best mark in baseball. Losing Senga, whose 1.47 ERA leads the sport, sucks. But the team is a well-oiled machine with a strong pitching staff that will keep chugging along.

Fourth, and most importantly, the Mets have more than enough starting pitching depth to withstand this.

Remember that, in the hours before Senga went down, there was a report that the Mets were getting trade inquiries about Paul Blackburn, a starting pitcher who is currently in the bullpen.

Beyond that was the question of what the team was going to do when Frankie Montas (in about a week or so) and Sean Manaea (in a few weeks) return.

Aug 21, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea (59) walks off the field after the top of the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field.
Aug 21, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea (59) walks off the field after the top of the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The expectation was that before the end of June, the Mets would have eight big league starting pitchers for five spots.

Now, the expectation is that they'll have seven big league starters for five spots.

That is because the team is not currently planning to utilize a regular six-man rotation, instead resorting to it only when they're in the midst of lots of games in a row without a day off.

As things currently stand, this is what the Mets' rotation is likely to look like the next turn through:

Clay Holmes
Tylor Megill
Griffin Canning
David Peterson
Paul Blackburn

After that, Montas should be back, at which point the Mets could shift Blackburn back to the bullpen.

Once Manaea returns, and if everyone else remains healthy, the decision will be more difficult. But the Mets will be adding another ace-level pitcher to their staff to help offset the absence of Senga.

The easiest decision at that point could be either shifting Megill to the bullpen -- since he has minor league options remaining -- or sending him to Triple-A Syracuse (as unfair as that might be, given how he's pitched).

Then the Mets will await Senga's return.

Left unsaid so far? What New York has percolating pitching-wise in the upper levels of the minors.

Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean participates in the Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park.
Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean participates in the Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park. / Jim Rassol - Imagn Images

At the very top of the list is Nolan McLean, who has a 1.98 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 59.0 innings across 11 games this season for Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse.

It's fair to believe McLean would be the first pitcher up if the Mets found themselves with a long-term need in the rotation.

Then there's Brandon Sproat, who is starting to find his footing in Triple-A, allowing just seven runs over his last four starts spanning 21.1 innings.

Blade Tidwell is also in Triple-A, and made his big league debut earlier this season in a spot start. Like Sproat, Tidwell is finding his groove, allowing just 12 runs in his last six games -- a span of 31.2 innings.

The wild card here is Jonah Tong, who has been laying waste to opposing batters in Double-A, where he has a 1.99 ERA in 54.1 innings. He has allowed just 27 hits and struck out 91 -- a rate of 15.1 per nine.

Tong should be in Triple-A sooner rather than later, at which point he could quickly become a big league option.

But the main point here is that all of these minor leaguers, as high as their upside is, are currently a bit of an afterthought as it pertains to the big league rotation. That's a great problem to have.

Also a great problem to have? The fact that the Mets will still very likely have tough decisions to make about who to remove from the rotation in the coming weeks.

As we saw on Thursday, injuries happen and things change. But the Mets are well equipped to take some hits.

Detroit’s Tarik Skubal Ignores Skenes Comparison and Racks up Ks

BALTIMORE—Detroit left-hander Tarik Skubal is everything you can ask for in a starting pitcher, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday night at Camden Yards.

What’s so special about the 28-year-old Skubal?

“Everything,” Hinch said. “He’s an ace. Everything he brings to the table on any given night is either near or at the top of the league. His hunger to be better than the last start is arguably second to none.”

Plus, Skubal is one of the best bargains in the league at $10.2 million this season. He has one season of arbitration remaining in 2026, and one way or another, he will earn a hefty raise. Then free agency beckons in 2027. 

For much of the last two seasons, Skubal has been compared to Pirates’ Paul Skenes, as the two are among the best young pitchers in Major League Baseball. Skubal won the American League Cy Young Award last year, and he’s the odds-on favorite to win it again. Skenes in his debut season was named NL Rookie of the Year and earned the start for the NL in the All-Star Game. 

But Skenes, just 23 and earning $875,000, receives more attention than Skubal, who doesn’t seem to care.

“No offense to the media,” Skubal said. “I could probably do without all of it. I like to play the game. I don’t like seeing stories posted with narratives that just seem to be created. What other people have to say, I don’t put much weight into it. I’d just rather play baseball.”

Skubal, who is 7-2 with a 1.99 ERA this season, is not as electric as Skenes, but he certainly is as efficient, proving it on a warm 88-degree night with 12 groundball outs, two walks and only six strikeouts in a 4-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. He threw 98 pitches, only 24 of them balls, giving up three hits during seven shutout innings.

“I compare him to Clayton Kershaw when he was young,” Tigers veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty said. “He was right at you: strike one, strike two. Like Kersh, he rarely walks anybody. He has hitters right on their heels. Add his preparation and competitiveness, and he’s everything in a pitcher you can ask for.”

To Flaherty’s point, Skubal leads the league with a 74.2% first pitch strike rate, meaning his first pitch to almost three-fourths of the batters he faces is a strike. Consequently, batters are hitting only .197 against him, 47 points below the league average.

Still, Skubal’s most explosive pitch of Thursday evening came on a full count to Colton Cowser with two outs and runners on the corners in the second inning. It was a 98-mph four-seam fastball that Cowser swung through as it rose in the zone. Strike three, inning over. That’s a good heater, but Skenes has been known to throw a dozen 100-mph fastballs in a game.

No matter, Skubal said.

“I thought I was fighting myself early,” Skubal said. “As the game went on I thought I got better.”

In the last four games, Skubal has allowed only one run on 15 hits with the two walks and 32 strikeouts. He hadn’t walked a batter since May 20, and his two-walk game Thursday was his first with multiple walks since he strolled three at Seattle on April 2. Hinch quipped afterwards, “Maybe we’ll have him work on some things.”

But really—he’s walked nine batters this season in 14 starts, an average of just two ticks below one walk per nine innings. He’s whiffed 105, as opposed to 92 for Skenes.

“If you draw up the characteristics of a starting pitcher you want to headline your rotation, he’s going to have all of it,” Hinch said. “He wasn’t quite perfect [Thursday night], but if that’s your off day and you throw seven scoreless, I’ll take it.” 

Skubal starting the All-Star Game in Atlanta for the AL on July 15 would add another nice feather in his cap. But he will have to contend with fellow left-hander Max Fried, who is 9-1 with a 1.84 ERA in his first season pitching for the New York Yankees.

The two pitchers have their respective clubs vying for the best record right now in the AL, let alone MLB. Detroit is 45-25.

Skenes is 4-6 with a 1.88 ERA pitching for a 28-41 last-place Pirates team that just doesn’t score any runs for him. He won’t start the All-Star Game again.

For his part, Hinch doesn’t want to hear much about Skenes.

“I don’t rate them,” Hinch said when asked to compare Skubal to Skenes. “I’ll take my guy over anybody. It’s not a knock on [Skenes]. I know he’s really good. I got a chance to meet him, and he’s a terrific guy and a huge competitor. It’s a great thing for the league to have both guys on the mound. The only time you don’t like it is when you’re in the other dugout.”

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A White Sox cap at the Vatican? Pope Leo XIV is 'like any other guy in Chicago on the South Side'

Pope Leo XIV wears a White Sox hat with his papal cassock in St. Peter's Square, standing next to a woman in a wedding gown
Pope Leo XIV wears a Chicago White Sox hat as he meets newly married couples during the weekly general audience this week in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (Filippo Monteforte / AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Leo XIV is a huge Chicago White Sox fan.

It's a good thing too — otherwise the event being thrown in his honor at the team's home stadium this weekend might be a little awkward.

While the White Sox play the Rangers in Texas on Saturday afternoon, the Archdiocese of Chicago will be at Rate Field celebrating the new leader of the Catholic Church — who was born and raised on the city's South Side — with a Mass by Chicago Archbishop Blase J. Cupich and other festivities.

Read more:Mookie Betts' toddler son runs away with first-pitch baseball. It's as adorable as it sounds

While the man once known as Robert Prevost won't be there in person, he will appear in what event organizers describe as "a video message from Pope Leo XIV to the young people of the world."

Leo will also be represented in mural form. The White Sox unveiled a graphic installation featuring his likeness on a concourse wall before a May 19 game against the Seattle Mariners, less than two weeks after Leo was selected as the first U.S.-born pope. He replaced Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at age 88.

A colorful portrait of Pope Leo XIV waving appears on a wall next to a framed White Sox jersey featuring his name on its back
The Chicago White Sox have commemorated the fandom of Pope Leo XIV with a graphic installation at Rate Field. (Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press)

The graphic was installed next to Section 140, where Leo sat in Row 19, Seat 2 for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series between the White Sox and Houston Astros. As remarkable as it might sound, there is footage from Fox's national broadcast of that Oct. 22, that shows the man then-known as Father Bob in the stands at the stadium then-known as U.S. Cellular Field.

Hosting a World Series game for the first time since 1959, the White Sox led by two runs with one out in the top of the ninth inning. Chicago closer Bobby Jenks had just thrown a 95-mph fastball past Houston's Adam Everett for an 0-1 count and was preparing for his next pitch.

That's when the camera panned to a nervous-looking Father Bob, who appears to be wearing a team jacket over a team jersey.

Viewers never got to see the future pope's reaction to what happens next, but he must have been ecstatic as Jenks strikes out Everett in two more pitches for a 5-3 Chicago win. The White Sox would go on to sweep the Astros for their first World Series win since 1917.

"That was his thing. He liked to get out and go to a game once in a while," Louis Prevost told the Chicago Tribune of his brother, the future pope. "Eat a hot dog. Have some pizza. Like any other guy in Chicago on the South Side.”

His favorite team may have fallen on harder times since then — the White Sox are an American League-worst 23-45 and 20.5 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers in the Central Division — but Leo is still willing to put his fandom on display for the world to see.

Read more:Shohei Ohtani thought he was 'in trouble' before Dave Roberts gifted him a toy Porsche

On Wednesday, he wore a White Sox hat along with his traditional papal cassock while blessing newly married couples in St. Peter's Square outside the Vatican.

Kelly and Gary DeStefano, who live in Haverhill, Mass., and are Boston Red Sox fans, gave him the hat. Kelly DeStefano told Boston.com they were just trying to get the new pope's attention.

“I just wanted to make sure everyone at home knew that we did not turn on our team," she told Boston.com. "It was all in joke and good fun.”

Six fans wearing red and gold robes and white mitres with White Sox logos in the stands among other baseball fans
Chicago White Sox fans dress up like fellow White Sox fan Pope Leo XIV to watch a game against the Cubs on May 17 at Wrigley Field. (Paul Beaty / Associated Press)

It worked, with Boston.com reporting that Leo gave the couple a good-natured ribbing once he found out where they are from.

“You’re going to get in trouble for this,” he told them, in a video of the meeting.

“Don’t tell anyone in Massachusetts,” Kelly DeStefano replied.

While Leo might be a little too busy to attend a game anytime soon, White Sox executive vice president, chief revenue and marketing officer Brooks Boyer said last month that the pope is welcome to return to Rate Field whenever he wants.

“He has an open invite to throw out a first pitch,” Boyer said. “Heck, maybe we’ll let him get an at-bat.”

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Mets vs. Rays: How to watch on SNY on June 13, 2025

The Mets open a three-game series with the Rays at Citi Field on Friday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...


Mets Notes

  • Juan Soto is hitting .386/.542/.818 with five homers, four doubles, 10 RBI, and 16 runs scored over his last 13 games
  • Pete Alonso is hitting .318/.408/.758 with eight homers, five doubles, 12 runs scored, and 25 RBI over his last 17 games
  • BrandonNimmo is hitting .323/.391/.613 with five homers, three doubles, 14 runs scored, and 10 RBI over his last 16 games

RAYS
METS
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What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here

ICYMI in Mets Land: Kodai Senga injury fallout; roster machinations coming

Here's what happened in Mets Land on Thursday, in case you missed it...


Shaikin: Why many cost-conscious MLB owners are rooting for Angels' success

Los Angeles Angels' Christian Moore throws against the San Francisco Giants.
Angels second baseman Christian Moore throws during a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants in February. Moore could make his Angels debut Friday. (Matt York / Associated Press)

The winter wails of “Are the Dodgers ruining baseball?” pretty much established the Dodgers as the team other major league owners love to hate. If there is one thing most owners love more than winning, it is cost control. That is why they covet a salary cap.

The team other owners love? It might just be the Angels.

For owners, costs go beyond the salaries of major league players. In 2021, Major League Baseball eliminated 43 minor league teams affiliated with MLB organizations. Why, owners wondered, should we continue to pay two dozen entry-level players to fill out a roster when only two of them might be legitimate prospects?

And what could be more efficient than turning over player development to colleges? The NFL has no minor league. The NBA has one. Even after those 2021 cuts, MLB teams remain affiliated with 14 minor leagues.

Read more:Reds pitcher Wade Miley accused of being drug supplier for Tyler Skaggs

That brings us to the Angels. In football and basketball, a first-round draft pick almost always goes from college one year to the NFL and the NBA the next. In baseball, even a first-round draft pick can spend several years in the minor leagues.

The Angels just called up second baseman Christian Moore, who could make his major league debut Friday in Baltimore, and pitcher Sam Bachman. That means the Angels’ roster now includes eight of their first-round picks — including each of their past five, all 25 or younger.

None of them spent even 100 games in the minor leagues, and almost all of that limited time was spent at the highest levels of the minors. This time last year, Moore was preparing for the College World Series with eventual national champion Tennessee. The Angels gave him 20 games at triple-A Salt Lake, in which he hit .350 with a .999 OPS, and summoned him to the majors.

Of the nine players likely to take the field for the Angels on Friday, the team drafted six in the first round: Moore (2024), first baseman Nolan Schanuel (2023), shortstop Zach Neto (2022), and outfielders Jo Adell (2017), Taylor Ward (2015) and Mike Trout (2009). The bullpen would include Bachman (2021) and Reid Detmers (2020).

Angels shortstop Zach Neto walks through the dugout during a game against the Miami Marlins on May 24.
Angels shortstop Zach Neto walks through the dugout during a game against the Miami Marlins on May 24. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

This is not the only way to win. None of the Dodgers’ past five top draft picks are even in the major leagues, and the team’s current roster includes only two Dodgers’ first-round draft picks: catcher Will Smith (2016) and pitcher Clayton Kershaw (2006).

No matter, of course, because the team’s current roster also includes Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Total cost for that quartet: $1.6 billion. Total signing bonuses for the eight Angels first-round picks: $30 million.

And there is no evidence to show what we might call the Angels Way — drafting polished college stars capable of getting to the majors in a hurry — is a way to win. The Angels are trying to rebuild without investing heavily in scouting and player development. They have not posted a winning season in 10 years.

As the Angels open play Friday, they are one game under .500. They played .360 ball in April and .500 ball in May, and they have played .700 ball so far in June. They are 4 ½ games out of first place in what appears to be baseball’s weakest division, the American League West.

What the Angels are trying means you absolutely cannot miss on your top draft picks. Although each of their first-rounders this decade now has made the majors, to this point only Neto has displayed star potential. It’s still early, of course, and a team that learned that Ohtani and Trout alone cannot deliver October is hoping to develop a broader base of talent.

Read more:Can the Angels' offense be saved? It probably (mostly) depends on Mike Trout

The Angels will try again in a few weeks. They have the second overall pick in the July draft. They could aim to fill their Anthony Rendon-sized third-base hole with Oregon State’s Aiva Arquette. On Thursday, prospect analyst Keith Law of The Athletic projected the Angels would take Tennessee left-hander Liam Doyle.

"Everyone expects the Angels to take Doyle or (LSU left-hander) Kade Anderson,” Law wrote, “and then put whoever they select in the majors before the ink is dry on the contract."

That would make nine first-rounders on the major league roster. That, certainly, would be efficient. Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement start next year, and the Angels Way could embolden owners to eliminate even more minor league teams.

The fans might be rooting for the star-studded Dodgers. The cost-conscious owners are rooting for the Angels.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Blue Jays at Phillies Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 13

Its Friday, June 13 and the Blue Jays (38-30) are in Philadelphia to open a series against the Phillies (39-29).

Kevin Gausman is slated to take the mound for Toronto against Ranger Suárez for Philadelphia.

These teams each enjoyed a day off Thursday. The Jays hope the time off did not stifle their momentum as they have won three straight and eight of their last ten. The sledding has been a bit choppier for the Phillies who have won but three of their last ten.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Blue Jays at Phillies

  • Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
  • Time: 6:45PM EST
  • Site: Citizens Bank Park
  • City: Philadelphia, PA
  • Network/Streaming: Sportsnet, NBCSP

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Blue Jays at the Phillies

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Blue Jays (+113), Phillies (-135)
  • Spread:  Phillies -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Blue Jays at Phillies

  • Pitching matchup for June 13, 2025: Kevin Gausman vs. Ranger Suárez
    • Blue Jays: Kevin Gausman (5-4, 3.87 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/7 at Minnesota - 6IP, 3ER, 4H, 3BB, 5Ks
    • Phillies: Ranger Suárez (4-1, 2.70 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/7 at Pittsburgh - 7IP, 2ER, 5H, 1BB, 5Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Blue Jays at Phillies

  • The Phillies' last 4 games have gone under the Total with Ranger Suarez on the mound
  • The Blue Jays have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 1.02 units
  • Trea Turner is riding a modest 4-game hitting streak (5-15)
  • Vlad Guerrero Jr. was 4-10 (.400) in the recently completed 2-game series against St. Louis.

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s game between the Blue Jays and the Phillies

Rotoworld Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Blue Jays and the Phillies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Toronto Blue Jays at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

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  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Rays at Mets prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 13

Its Friday, June 13 and the Rays (36-32) are in Queens to open a three-game series against the Mets (45-24).

Taj Bradley is slated to take the mound for Tampa Bay against Clay Holmes for New York.

It was a travel day Thursday for the Rays while the Mets were in action completing a series sweep of the Washington Nationals. Jeff McNeil went yard for the seventh time this season to pace the attack against the Nats. The Mets are now 27-7 at Citi Field.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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Game details & how to watch Rays at Mets

  • Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Citi Field
  • City: Queens, NY
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNSUN, SNY

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Rays at the Mets

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Rays (+137), Mets (-164)
  • Spread:  Mets -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rays at Mets

  • Pitching matchup for June 13, 2025: Taj Bradley vs. Clay Holmes
    • Rays: Taj Bradley (4-5, 4.58 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/7 vs. Miami - 4IP, 7ER, 6H, 2BB, 2Ks
    • Mets: Clay Holmes (7-3, 2.95 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/7 at Colorado - 6IP, 1ER, 9H, 0BB, 6Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rays at Mets

  • The Mets have won 6 straight home games
  • The Under is 81-50-6 for the Mets' and the Rays' games combined this season
  • Brandon Nimmo has hits in 4 straight (6-17) and 8 of the last 9 games (10-38)
  • In his last 5 starts, Clay Holmes is averaging 4.2 Ks per game

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s game between the Rays and the Mets

Rotoworld Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Rays and the Mets:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Mets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Mets at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Rockies at Braves Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 13

Its Friday, June 13 and the Rockies (13-55) are in Atlanta to begin a weekend series against the Braves (29-38).

Germán Márquez is slated to take the mound for Colorado against Bryce Elder for Atlanta.

Colorado snapped a five-game losing streak with an 8-7 win Thursday. Orlando Arcia walked it off for Colorado with a two-run single in the final frame as the Rockies prevailed for just the thirteenth time in 68 games. The Braves enjoyed a day off Thursday.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Rockies at Braves

  • Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
  • Time: 7:15PM EST
  • Site: Truist Park
  • City: Atlanta, GA
  • Network/Streaming: COLR, FDSNSO

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Rockies at the Braves

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Rockies (+232), Braves (-287)
  • Spread:  Braves -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rockies at Braves

  • Pitching matchup for June 13, 2025: Germán Márquez vs. Bryce Elder
    • Rockies: Germán Márquez (2-8, 7.00 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/7 vs. Mets - 5IP, 4ER, 8H, 0BB, 3Ks
    • Braves: Bryce Elder (2-3, 4.08 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/7 at San Francisco - 8IP, 1ER, 3H, 0BB, 12Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rockies at Braves

  • The Rockies are 4-6 in their last 10 games
  • Each of the last 6 games between the Braves and the Rockies have stayed under the Total
  • The Braves have covered the Run Line in 4 of their last 5 games with a rest advantage over their opponents
  • Austin Riley has at least 1 hit in 8 of 10 games in June (13-43)
  • Ryan McMahon enters the series riding a 5-game hitting streak (7-16)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s game between the Rockies and the Braves

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Rockies and the Braves:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Atlanta Braves on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Marlins at Nationals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 13

Its Friday, June 13 and the Marlins (25-41) are in Washington to take on the Nationals (30-38).

Edward Cabrera is slated to take the mound for Miami against Mitchell Parker for Washington.

Thursday was a travel day for Miami following a series in Pittsburgh. The Bucs took two of three from the Marlins earlier this week. The Nationals were even less fortunate as they were swept by the Mets including a 4-3 loss Thursday. Washington has now lost five in a row.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Marlins at Nationals

  • Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
  • Time: 6:45PM EST
  • Site: Nationals Park
  • City: Washington, DC
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNFL, MASN2

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Marlins at the Nationals

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Marlins (+106), Nationals (-125)
  • Spread:  Nationals -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Marlins at Nationals

  • Pitching matchup for June 13, 2025: Edward Cabrera vs. Mitchell Parker
    • Marlins: Edward Cabrera (2-2, 3.99 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/6 at Tampa Bay - 4IP, 1ER, 6H, 2BB, 5Ks
    • Nationals: Mitchell Parker (4-6, 4.44 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/7 vs. Texas - 6IP, 1ER, 4H, 0BB, 5Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Marlins at Nationals

  • The Nationals have lost their last 5 games
  • The Nationals' last 3 games at home against the Marlins have stayed under the Total
  • Kyle Stowers is 1-12 (.083) over his last 5 games
  • Javier Sanoja picked up 1 hit in each of the 3 games (3-5) against Pittsburgh

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s game between the Marlins and the Nationals

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Marlins and the Nationals:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Marlins at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Pirates at Cubs Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 13

Its Friday, June 13 and the Pirates (28-41) are in Chicago for Game 2 of their series against the Cubs (41-27).

Paul Skenes is slated to take the mound for Pittsburgh against Cade Horton for Chicago.

Pete Crow-Armstrong went yard for the 18th time this season and Seiya Suzuki hit his 17th of the campaign as the Cubs squeaked past the Bucs 3-2 Thursday night. Jamieson Taillon earned his seventh win of the season for the Cubs.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Pirates at Cubs

  • Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
  • Time: 2:20PM EST
  • Site: Wrigley Field
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming: SNP, MARQ, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Pirates at the Cubs

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Pirates (-105), Cubs (-114)
  • Spread:  Cubs 1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Pirates at Cubs

  • Pitching matchup for June 13, 2025: Paul Skenes vs. Cade Horton
    • Pirates: Paul Skenes (4-6, 1.88 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/8 vs. Philadelphia - 7.2IP, 0ER, 2H, 1BB, 7Ks
    • Cubs: Cade Horton (3-1, 4.11 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/8 at Detroit - 5IP, 4ER, 7H, 2BB, 6Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Pirates at Cubs

  • The Cubs have won 11 of their last 13 games at home
  • 5 of the Pirates' last 6 games (83%) have stayed under the Total
  • Paul Skenes has struck out at least 7 opposing hitters in each of his last 5 starts

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for today’s game between the Pirates and the Cubs

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Pirates and the Cubs:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Cubs on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Pittsburgh Pirates at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

With potential roster move coming, Yankees' Pablo Reyes takes advantage of opportunity with all-around game vs. Royals

Runs were hard to come by in Thursday's series finale between the Yankees and Royals.

With the score knotted at zero in the eighth inning, the Yankees needed a spark if they were to sweep the Royals in Kansas City. Would it come from Aaron Judge? Paul Goldschmidt? Anthony Volpe?

No, it was not-often-used Pablo Reyes, starting at second base on Thursday, who ignited the team and eventually scored the team's lone run in their 1-0 win.

Leading off the inning against Lucas Erceg, one of the Royals' best relievers, Reyes lined a single into right field. With two outs and Reyes on second after a Trent Grisham ground out and Ben Rice walk, Goldschmidt came up in what would be the difference-making at-bat. The former NL MVP smoked a liner at first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, but the ball bounced off his glove and into shallow right field.

Pasquantino retrieved the ball and threw it to first to a covering Erceg, but Goldschmidt beat out the throw. Reyes, who was rounding third, stumbled and took a few steps back to third before changing directions and heading home. Erceg threw home in time to catcher Freddy Fermin, but the backstop lost the ball as he went for the tag, allowing Reyes to slide in safely.

"We’ll take it," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the play after the game. "We only scored one run tonight. I thought we had a lot of good at-bats. Number of guys in the lineup stung the ball; we just couldn’t break through. Some good at-bats off Erceg [in that inning] to punch through. 

"There’s a rain delay, it's getaway night. To grab a run right there, especially Pablo. Him starting it off, leadoff hit and coming around to score. We’re all excited for him."

"There’s two outs, so in my mind, just do anything I can to score," Reyes said of the play via an interpreter. "I lost my balance there and at the same time, I heard [third base coach] Luis Rojas telling me, ‘keep going, keep going.’ I noticed there was hesitation on the pitcher, and just kept going and did the best I could there."

Reyes has not seen much playing time this year, appearing in just 24 games and getting 31 at-bats. Entering Thursday's game, the 31-year-old was 5-for-28 (.179) with two RBI. He's the utility infielder/outfielder who allows Boone to maneuver players in late-game situations.

So when he got the rare start, Reyes said it helps that he stays ready for these opportunities.

"I just try to keep my head up, working hard and just get ready for the opportunity and try to enjoy," Reyes said. "When I get the opportunity, I try and enjoy it to help my teammates and try my best to win the game. That’s the only thing I can control. Working hard every day and when the opportunity came, I just try and take advantage of that and play the game the right way."

Reyes admitted there was panic when he first stumbled around third base, and initially wanted to get back to third to make sure he didn't run the team out of the inning but once he saw the play developing, he took his chance.

"Really happy for him. He’s a good player and he can swing the bat," Boone said of Reyes. "He hasn’t gotten the opportunity just because guys have been healthy. I’ve leaned on [Oswald] Peraza as that backup in the infield. He’s capable of that. I felt good about him leading off that inning. He hasn’t had a lot to show for it offensively, but I believe in the bat. A really good at-bat off Erceg to start us off going the other way.

"He’s always ready, he’s always a supportive teammate. And just happy for him to have a really big hand in this one and he did some really good things on defense too."

Aside from his chaotic scamper home in the eighth, Reyes made a really great play at second, attacking a slow chopper that got past the pitcher and shoveling the ball to first for the second out of the seventh inning. It was an all-around great day for Reyes who hasn't had many chances to show the fans what he can do.

But that ability to impact a game with his bat, his glove and on the basepaths will give Boone and the Yankees organization a decision to make when Giancarlo Stanton returns from his rehab assignment.

As someone at the end of the bench, Reyes' spot on the team is in jeopardy, but the Dominican Republic native isn't thinking about that. He just focuses on what he can control and stays ready when his number is called.

"The way I look at it, that’s something I can’t control. Movements like that, that’s for the front office," Reyes said. "For me, what I can control is come in here, prepare every day the right way, work hard every day and prepare for opportunities like this tonight."

Yankees at Red Sox: 5 things to watch and series predictions | June 13-15

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees and Boston Red Sox play a three-game series at Fenway Park starting on Friday night...


Preview

Payback

This weekend's series will be the second in as many weeks between the two rivals, but the Yankees will hope the results are different this time around. After dropping two at Yankee Stadium, New York will look to bounce back in the season series with three in Boston. The teams are largely the same from a week ago, but there are a few new wrinkles added in -- more on that later.

Although the Red Sox enter Friday 9.5 games back of the Yanks in the AL East standings, New York needs to take advantage of the below-.500 club.

The Roman Anthony effect

One huge change to the Red Sox is the addition of top prospect Roman Anthony. The Red Sox called up the slugging outfielder on Monday and will get his first taste of the rivalry this weekend. Or will he?

The Yankees are set to use three southpaws this weekend (Ryan Yarbrough, Carlos Rodon, Max Fried) and Red Sox manager Alex Cora may stay away from using the left-handed youngster. We'll have to see what the lineups this weekend look like, but the Red Sox are 2-1 since Anthony's call-up, and although the rookie is 1-for-12 in his first three big league games, his two-run double was the catalyst for their win on Tuesday.

Rodon gets a redo

Rodon has been great this season, but on the mound in the rubber game against the Red Sox last Sunday, the southpaw pitched a dud.

The left-hander pitched just five innings, allowing five runs on three hits and three walks, which helped Boston clinch the weekend series for the Red Sox. Rodon will get a chance to redeem himself this weekend when he toes the rubber in Boston. Rodon is scheduled to pitch Saturday and, depending on how Friday's game goes, the veteran starter could be the difference in whether the Yankees win or lose the series, again.

Oct 3, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Scott Effross (59) delivers a pitch to the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field. The Yankees won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Scott Effross (59) delivers a pitch to the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field. The Yankees won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports / © Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees bullpen in flux

The Yankees' bullpen is beat up, to say the least. While they await Luke Weaver's return, Mark Leiter Jr. has struggled in recent games and they've optioned Yerry De los Santos back to the minors to get a fresh arm in the bullpen for this weekend's series. Who did they call up? Why, Scott Effross, of course.

Effross pitched in just three games last season after recovering from Tommy John surgery and suffered a hamstring injury this spring that has kept him off the team this year. The team feels Effross is ready to return to The Show, but he's struggled in the minors this season. In five Triple-A appearances, the veteran right-hander has allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and two walks across 5.2 innings.

The return of Giancarlo Stanton?

The biggest question mark for the Yankees this weekend is whether Stanton will be in the lineup. Stanton has started three straight days in Triple-A and could potentially be ready to be activated.

Boston will only deploy one left-hander this weekend -- Garrett Crochet on Friday -- so perhaps Stanton won't be in the lineup at all this weekend. But if he's activated, he could be a potential bench threat that the Yankees haven't had all year.

Predictions

Who will be the MVP of the series?

Aaron Judge

Judge is on a season-long tear and there's no reason to think it won't continue in Boston.

Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?

Max Fried

After a rocky start in LA, Fried has bounced back to be the ace the Yankees need.

Which Red Sox player will be a thorn in Yankees' side?

Rafael Devers

Devers is a career .272 hitter with 30 home runs and 77 RBI against the Yankees. Enough said.