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In the first meeting of the season between two American League squads, the Seattle Mariners go to battle with the Boston Red Sox in the first matchup of a four-game set on Thursday. It is time to check out our MLB odds series, where our Mariners-Red Sox prediction and odds will take place.
Coming into the contest at 17-21, the Mariners have limped their way through 38 games, and now sit seven games behind the Astros in the AL West. Making his second start of the season for Seattle will be none other than the 24-year-0ld righty in George Kirby, who has compiled a shiny 0.90 ERA in his two combined starts.
After taking two of three games from the scorching Houston Astros earlier in the week, Boston will look to ride the momentum by sending out LHP Rich Hill. The veteran southpaw has a 2-1 record and a 2.89 ERA on the young season.
Here are the Mariners-Red Sox MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Mariners-Red Sox Odds
Seattle Mariners: +1.5 (-200)
Boston Red Sox: -1.5 (+162)
Over: 8.5 (-108)
Under: 8.5 (-112)
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Why The Mariners Could Cover the Spread
While the Mariners might've lost two of three at the hands of the Blue Jays in their latest series, Seattle put it all together in the finale 0n Wednesday by defeating their counterparts 5-1 and avoiding the sweep in the process.
As the Mariners begin their game plan on how to take advantage of the Red Sox at Fenway Park, Seattle must figure out a way to play more effectively as the visiting team. In 22 games played out on the road thus far, the Mariners are only 8-14.
Looking at Seattle's offense, the Mariners are as average to above-average as they come. With 146 runs scored, good for 20th in the MLB, there is definitely room for improvement at the plate.
Luckily, Seattle has discovered ways to reach base, putting pressure on the opposition and forcing their margin of error on the mound to be very slim. With an on-base percentage of .314, good for 10th in all of baseball, there is no doubt that this is the most efficient factor of the Mariners' offensive attack.
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It is truly difficult to predict whether or not the Mariners bats are going to show up night in and night out, so the youngster in George Kirby will have to be at his best. Kirby has faced stellar competition up to this point, as he should get an easier task against a weaker Red Sox lineup after squaring off with the likes of the Rays and Mets.
The New York native blanked Tampa Bay through seven innings in his first start, but came back down to Earth versus the Mets as he lasted only four innings against his hometown squad. Can Kirby build upon his dazzling 0.90 ERA? If he can, then the Mariners should have a tremendous chance to cover the spread on Thursday.
Why The Red Sox Could Cover the Spread
Boston has also mightily struggled to begin the 2022 season, as the 15-22 Red Sox have a chance to put some victories in the win column against a beatable opponent in the Mariners on Thursday evening. After a grueling five-game losing streak not too long ago, the Red Sox are seemingly finding their rhythm as of late. An offense that has consistently been near the bottom statistically for a majority of the year, Boston punished one of the better pitching groups in the Astros in their last series, generating 24 runs in three games played.
However, outside of the Astros series, this Boston bunch has struggled for the most part at the dish in 2022. Through 37 contests, Boston is finding a hard time reaching base with a .292 mark and has only scored 141 runs.
Luckily, the Rafael Devers show is in full effect, as the Red Sox superstar third-baseman is raking .340 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs, which is plenty to lead the club in all three categories.
The ageless wonder himself in Rich Hill will be a major factor in the outcome of the game this evening, as the 42-year-0ld has nearly 18 years on this pitching counterpart from Seattle in George Kirby.
The Red Sox will cover the spread in this one thanks to Hill's pitching expertise and his overall experience playing in the big leagues, something that Kirby fails to possess. Combine that with Hill's devastating curveball and his ability to paint the corners at will, and Boston could see themselves with another win as they head into the weekend slate versus Seattle.
Final Mariners-Red Sox Prediction & Pick
Both squads have not necessarily been very good to begin 2022, but each side is very evenly matched. With the offenses canceling each other out in this one, it is always smart to side with an elder statesman. Experience reigns supreme, and Rich Hill should demonstrate that against a mediocre Seattle lineup.
Final Mariners-Red Sox Pick: Red Sox -1.5 (+162)
