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Today marks the 100th anniversary of the New York Highlanders visiting Fenway Park to take on the Boston Red Sox. It proved that the Highlanders were not immortal and became the Yankees a year later and this rivalry went on to become one of the greatest in sports. On that day 100 years ago the Red Sox beat the Highlanders 7-6 on an 11th inning base hit by Tris Speaker, no doubt satisfying the over bettors on that April day. 100 years later, people are still betting and we’re going to find the right selection so that people will be writing about our success on their iPhone 80′s on Fenway’s 200th anniversary. 

Ivan Nova vs. Clay Buchholz
Clay Buchholz has been the beneficiary of some insane run support this season as the Sox have put up 12 and 13 runs in his first two starts. Clay’s record is 1-0 but that ERA could be picked up by the naked eye in space at 9.82. He was 0-2 against the Yankees last year, allowing 6.14 runs in each game. His opponent today Ivan Nova has only faced the Red Sox once and that was in losing fashion but he’s 2-0 with the Yanks this year.

The Weather
Fenway is going to take center stage today as it celebrates a birthday and we could see the Green Monster on T.V. more than usual as the wind is pointing out 15MPH directly to left field. The over/under today definitely reflects that as it’s listed at a whopping 10.5. That’s a huge run total in baseball but the over is actually favored at -125 odds whereas the under is +105. Combine the virtual typhoon with a 9.82 ERA pitcher against a 4.15 ERA pitcher and the over might be the correct play.

The Line
Both teams are 3-3 on the year and the Red Sox are slumping having lost 3 in a row at home. The Yankees began the morning as -120 moneyline favorites and even though 60% of the public is on them, the line has dropped to a median -108 whereas the Sox are a -102 bet. Yankee batters Curtis Granderson and Derek Jeter are especially hot as “The Grandy Man” hit 3 home runs yesterday and “Jetes” is on a 10 game hit streak. If you’re confident that this success leads to a blowout today, the -1.5 run line for New York pays out +125. If you believe in Fenway magic leading to a lopsided Red Sox win, the alternate run line pays out a huge +170 for Boston to win by more than 1.5 runs.

The Pick
Fenway has had some magical times in it’s 100 years some favoring the Yankees and others the Red Sox. Bucky Dent’s home run in 1978 crushed Boston’s playoff hopes and put the Yankees into the postseason. The Red Sox got revenge years later when Dave Roberts’ 9th inning stolen base propelled Boston to an unprecedented 4 straight playoff series wins  and on to a World Series victory. Stuffed in between is Pedro Martinez trying to ground and pound poor Don Zimmer. Today should be an exciting day in Boston, mixed with nostalgia, history, and hopes for a more successful century for the Red Sox. New York on the other hand, will relish in spoiling their arch-rivals day. History has a weird way of repeating itself and look for the game to go extra innings…possibly 11…possibly tied at 6-6…possibly Justin Pedroia up with a man on second…possibly a base hit to give Boston a 7-6 victory 100 years in the making. Pick Boston -108