Rotation
The Red Sox rotation managed to perform rather well with the absence of Drew Pomeranz. That, however, has changed as Pomeranz has returned with two rather disappointing performances. Spot starts by Hector Velazquez and Brian Johnson were positives. The Red Sox are at a 3.4 fWAR for the first month compared to New York’s 2.8 fWAR.
The difference maker between the two teams rotation is Rick Porcello. A baseball reversal of fortune from 2017 and a revert back to his 2016 season. A 4-0 record and 1.6 fWAR makes Porcello the ace over Chris Sale. For New York Luis Severino is everything they expected. But there is Sonny Gray. Gray has simply fallen apart in the early stages of 2018 with a BB/9 that will have to go down or Gray will sit. Pitched well on the last game of April. Maybe a turnaround?
Next: Red Sox versus Royals series preview
Masahiro Tanaka and C.C. Sabathia have had their usual roller coaster type season of inconsistent starts. Will both find consistency? Will Gray finally locate the plate? Can Jordan Montgomery continue to improve? The Yankees have a few more question marks on the horizon than Boston, but they also have the talent to trade and cap space.
April Edge: Red Sox
Season End Prediction: Red Sox with Eduardo Rodriguez finally stepping up unless he walks the ballpark. Both teams will be very close.
Sources: FanGraphs