Yankees vs. Red Sox: The best player prop bets for Sept. 24

They say that familiarity breeds contempt, and nowhere is that more true than in the American League East, where the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have faced off 2,286 times since 1901. These venerable franchises will add a new chapter to their century-old rivalry on Friday night when the Sox host the Yankees at Fenway Park for the first game of their three-game series.

Fall is in the air, and both teams have plenty to play for with the postseason looming. The Red Sox, who have won seven straight, have a two-game lead in the Wild Card standings, while the Yankees, winners of three straight, have a one game lead over the Blue Jays for the second Wild Card spot.

New York will give the ball to AL Cy Young favorite Gerrit Cole (15-8, 3.03 ERA), who’s in the midst of one of his finest seasons as a pro. Boston will counter with fellow All-Star Nathan Eovaldi (10-8, 3.58), who leads the league in games started and FIP.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, and we have the three best player prop bets below.

Nathan Eovaldi: Over/Under 6.5 strikeouts

2021 has been a tale of two halves for Eovaldi, who went 9-5 before the All-Star break, but has posted a pedestrian 1-3 record since. The 31-year-old righty hasn’t won a game since Aug. 11, and hasn’t factored into a decision since Aug. 17. He’s lasted just five innings in each of his last two outings and is fresh off a seven-hit, three-run appearance against the lowly Baltimore Orioles.

Making matters worse, the Yankees have feasted on Eovaldi this season. New York’s roster is hitting .286 against the 10-year vet, and Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, DJ LeMahieu, Gio Urshela, and Luke Voit have all taken him deep.

Expect another short outing from Eovaldi tonight as the Yankees chase the Red Sox ace out of the game early and prevent him from racking up seven strikeouts or more.

Pick: Under 6.5 strikeouts (-125)

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Gerrit Cole: Over/Under 7.5 strikeouts

Like Eovaldi, Cole is also coming off a rough outing, but there’s reason to believe that may have been an anomaly. Prior to losing to Cleveland on Sept. 19, the four-time All-Star had won five of his previous six starts. Cole looked especially electric against the Angels on Sept. 1 when he racked up a season-high 15 strikeouts in just seven innings of work. It was the ninth time this season he’s rung up 10 batters or more in a single game.

Boston's projected lineup is hitting just .246 against Cole, and tonight isn’t the night they’re suddenly going to get hot. Ride the Over all the way.

Pick: Over 7.5 strikeouts (-134)

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J.D. Martinez: Over/Under 0.5 hits

As good as Cole has been this season, he has had issues with J.D. Martinez. The three-time Silver Slugger has homered off Cole twice and possesses the power and patience to make life miserable for the Yankees' star hurler.

Martinez has been seeing the ball especially well lately. The 34-year-old is hitting .290 with three home runs and 11 RBI in September, and is coming off a two-hit performance against the Mets in his last game on Wednesday. Count on Martinez to get on base again tonight in what should be a low-scoring affair.

Pick: Over 0.5 hits (-225)