White Sox vs. Red Sox Pick
After a scare on Friday, are the Boston Red Sox in danger of being upset by the Chicago White Sox when they meet tonight at 7:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Boston is the heavy favorite at home today, as the Red Sox are getting odds of -300 to win. The White Sox are listed with a money line of +250, while the over/under total has been set at 10 runs.
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The pitching matchup today has James Shields (2-3, 6.19 ERA) on the mound for Chicago to face Drew Pomeranz (10-4, 3.46) of the Red Sox. The man once known as “Big Game James” has been anything but in recent years. He has allowed at least three runs in eight straight starts and at least six in four of those eight starts. He has 44 strikeouts with 30 walks and a 1.66 WHIP this season. Pomeranz has been pretty strong this season and is coming off a 1-run, 6.2-inning effort against the Royals. He has 119 strikeouts with 44 walks and a 1.35 ERA.
The Red Sox have taken the first two games in the series. Boston won 9-5 on Thursday and then picked up a 3-2 win in 11 innings on Friday. The Red Sox have improved to 61-49 overall and 34-20 at home with the wins while the White Sox are now 41-66 overall and 20-37 on the road.
Friday’s game saw a struggle to bring in runs as the two starters did their part. Carlos Rodon pitched 7.2 innings for Chicago and gave up the two runs while racking up 11 strikeouts. Eduardo Rodriguez went six innings, allowing two runs with five strikeouts for the Red Sox. Boston’s bullpen pitched five scoreless innings as well. Friday’s game ended on a solo home run by Mitch Moreland in the 11th. It was his 14th dinger of the season. Nicky Delmonico had three hits and two RBI to lead the White Sox in the loss.
I’d be pretty shocked to see the Red Sox drop this one. Pomeranz has been able to overpower poor hitting teams and Chicago definitely fits that bill given the trades they have made. Boston shouldn’t have much difficulty getting to Shields, who has been hit hard by nearly everyone. The money line for Boston isn’t real enticing, but taking the Red Sox -1.5 at a -145 line is worth the wager.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: BOSTON RED SOX -1.5 (-145)