Clay Buchholz (0-2, 6.33 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (12-9) go up against Jhoulys Chacin (0-1, 3.18 ERA) and the Atlanta Braves (4-17) in the second of a two-game interleague series at Fenway Park. The Braves lost the last game 9-4, extending an eight-game losing streak. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 28 and will air on NESN, FSSO and MLBN.
In his last start, Buchholz pitched 5.2 innings, giving up five runs, striking out six and walking one in an 8-3 loss to the Astros. David Ortiz (.313, 10 Rs, 3 HRs, 16 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 5 with two runs and two RBIs. The Braves were unsuccessful against the Mets 8-2 the last time Chacin pitched. He went 5.2 innings, allowing four runs (one unearned), striking out five and walking two. Nick Markakis (.273, 9 Rs, 16 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Red Sox have a 4-14 record SU against the National League. The Red Sox have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire AL, averaging 0.0 runs per game. The Red Sox have the third-top batting average in the league at .278. The Red Sox are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with an MLB-high 20 steals. The most recent 10 game stretch for Boston’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, Boston’s opponents are averaging 0.0 runs per game, below their season average of 0.0.
When playing AL opponents, the Braves have a 9-9 record SU. Atlanta has been playing better lately, averaging 0.0 runs per game, more than their season average of 0.0. Atlanta is one of the top hitting teams in the league with zero extra base hits. Atlanta’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 0.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 0.0.
So far this season, the Red Sox are 3-0 against the Braves.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS
Notes
The Red Sox are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The Braves have a record of 1-9 when they are struck out that many times or more.
The Red Sox are coming into the game with four consecutive wins, while the Braves currently have a losing streak of eight.
When they outhit their opponents, the Braves are 2-4. The Red Sox have an 11-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 29th in runs, Atlanta has earned 69 this season. Boston ranks fourth with 111 runs.
Boston and Atlanta both rank in the top half of the league in walks. Boston sits at 11th with 70 this season and Atlanta ranks 15th with 66.
When the Red Sox hit at least one home run, they are 7-5. When the Braves hit at least one homer, they have a 0-3 record.
