Ortiz, Red Sox begin marquee bout vs. O’s
With the clock winding down on his MLB career, David Ortiz is trying to lead Boston into the playoffs one last time. Sunday’s powerful display moved everyone a step closer to that goal.
Ortiz smashed a three-run homer off Toronto’s Joaquin Benoit in the sixth inning, catapulting the Red Sox to an 11-8 victory. They enter tonight’s series opener vs. Baltimore with a two-game lead in the American League East. Online sports book BetDSI gives John Farrell’s club odds of -210 to prevail this evening, too, while the Orioles represent +185 underdogs. The over/under run figure sits at 9.5.
If Boston is to kick off an elongated homestand properly, Ortiz (.315/.403/.622) will surely need to be at the forefront of the efforts. The designated hitter and his brethren face Wade Miley, who’s not exactly flummoxing the opposition right now. Since being acquired by the O’s at the trade deadline, the lefty is 1-4 with a 7.15 ERA.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox’s signature southpaw continues to round into form at precisely the right time. David Price has captured six consecutive starts, compiling a 2.04 ERA over that span. He’s 9-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 22 career assignments vs. Buck Showalter’s bunch.
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Irrespective of ace Chris Tillman’s return over the weekend, Baltimore’s staff just can’t get things corrected. Why would anyone expect Miley to suddenly perform an about-face? Go with the hosts in a rout.
MONDAY MLB FREE PICK: RED SOX -1.5