The Boston Red Sox will head west to Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum to face off against the Oakland Athletics. The game gets underway 10:05 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California is in line to broadcast this AL showdown.
Boston Red Sox at Oakland Athletics Odds
Boston (-135) is the favorite over Oakland (+125) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this one at 8.5 runs (-120 for the over and +100 for the under). Runline odds stand at +110 for taking the Red Sox -1.5 runs and -130 for the Athletics +1.5.
The Red Sox have gone 16-2 SU this year and are 10-7 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 12.9 units for moneyline gamblers through the early part of the year and 3.4 units ATS. The Athletics, on the other hand, are 9-10 SU and 8-11 ATS. They’ve lost 1.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 4.7 units ATS.
Oakland games have an over/under record of 11-7-1 so far in 2018. The Red Sox have an over/under record of 10-6-1.
Drew Pomeranz will get the start for Boston. The southpaw Pomeranz is 0-0 with an ERA. He has yet to face the Athletics this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Athletics are sending righty Kendall Graveman (0-3, 9.87 ERA) to the mound. Graveman has 10 punchouts and seven walks to his credit, as well as a 2.02 WHIP. Graveman only made one start against the Red Sox in 2017 (0-0, 3.00 ERA and five strikeouts across six innings).
Boston’s pitchers have allowed 2.8 runs per game and its starters own a 1.98 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 9.54 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.57, along with a WHIP of 1.05.
Red Sox hitters have slashed .292/.366/.496 on their way to 6.4 runs scored per game this season, including 8.2 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 8.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (5-0 SU).
Boston’s hitters have been powered by Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez. Betts is slashing .391/.481/.797 with six home runs, 14 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Martinez has a .338 average with four homers, 15 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
Putting up a slash line of .255/.299/.588 across 177 plate appearances, Martinez didn’t seem to enjoy hitting against right-handed pitching on the road last year (his total season line was .303/.376/.690).
For the home team, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 5.2 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 5.02, a WHIP of 1.30 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.8. The bullpen has a 4.09 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 7.4 K/9.
The Oakland offense is putting up 5.5 runs per outing, including 6.8 per game over its last 10 games and 8.0 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .287/.391/.495 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Athletics’ hitters have been led by second baseman Jed Lowrie and third baseman Matt Chapman. Lowrie is hitting .346/.404/.605 with six home runs, 21 RBIs and 11 runs scored, while Chapman’s line is .296/.390/.563 with five homers, 13 RBIs and 16 runs scored.
Chapman performed well at home last season, slashing .284/.352/.541 across 165 plate appearances (compared to his total season line of .234/.313/.472).
The Red Sox have gained 10.8 units and are 9-6 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in nine of those games, compared to five that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Athletics have lost 4.4 units and are 2-4 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in two of those games, compared to three that went under the total.
Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Red Sox, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The over has cashed in five of Boston’s last seven games.
The Red Sox have won 16 of their last 17 games SU.
Oakland has recorded 26.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 29.6 over its last five.
The Red Sox have hit 17 home runs in their last 10 games, including 13 over their last five.
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