MLB Postseason Betting Preview: League Division Series

New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox

New York Yankees American League Pennant Odds: +400

Boston Red Sox American League Pennant Odds: +175

The Boston Red Sox won the most games in franchise history with 108 this season. As a result, they will host the Wild Card winners -- the New York Yankees -- in the American League, starting Friday at Fenway Park.

The Yankees ranked fourth with a 1.22 nERD and fourth in BaseRuns with a 159 mark. The rival Red Sox finished the season third with a 1.34 nERD, while they ended the year third in BaseRuns (177) as well.

While you usually don't associate the Bronx Bombers with pitching, they were lights out with a 3.53 SIERA, which was third-best in baseball. Backed by Chris Sale, the Red Sox weren't so bad themselves, finishing top five with a 3.72 SIERA.

The Yankees ended their season second in baseball with a 111 wRC+ on a league-best 16.9% home-run-to-fly-ball rate. Thanks to the third-lowest strikeout rate in baseball, Boston finished third with a 110 wRC+ behind Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez.

While they finished with the most wins in baseball, the metrics indicate that Boston was actually outperformed by the powerhouses in Houston and Los Angeles this season. That's not to say that Boston is bad, just that they may be a tad overvalued at the same odds and -160 for the series open. As a result, taking a shot on a talented Yankees team, at +140 (a return of $140 for every $100), is a sensible move for such a strong team, from plate to 'pen.

Recommended Bet: New York +140 for the series.