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How about some premier inter-league action on this fine Tuesday evening? The Boston Red Sox will look to snap a five-game losing streak as they travel to Atlanta to square off with the surging Braves. It is time to check out our MLB odds series, where our Red Sox-Braves prediction and pick will be revealed.
Boston is officially in struggle mode, as the slumping Red Sox have now found themselves nearly ten games under .500 at 10-19 and have been defeated in seven of their last eight contests. On the hill for Boston will be RHP Garrett Whitlock, who has shown flashes in 2022 with a 1-1 record and 1.25 ERA.
Although still remaining two games under .500, Atlanta has come out on top in three of their last four matchups and will look to continue to remain victorious at Truist Park against the Red Sox. RHP Kyle Wright has looked like an early season All-Star within the Braves pitching rotation, as his 3-1 record and 1.74 ERA speaks for itself.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Red Sox-Braves MLB odds.
MLB odds: Red Sox-Braves Odds
Boston Red Sox: +1.5 (-172)
Atlanta Braves: -1.5 (+142)
Over: 7.5 (-102)
Under: 7.5 (-120)
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Why The Red Sox Could Cover the Spread
Runs have been a struggle to come by for the Red Sox as of late, so pitching will be the name of the game if Boston wants to get back in the win column and cover the spread in their inter-league matchup versus Atlanta. Surprisingly, Red Sox starters have allowed two or fewer runs in 14 of their past 17 games, which is usually a tremendous formula that can translate into success out on the diamond.
However, the opposite has occurred up to this point, as Red Sox hitting has gone ice cold. About to play their 30th game of the 2022 season, Boston ranks only 28th in runs scored with 95 total and is failing to reach base with a 2.79 on-base percentage. To make matters worse, their lowly .228 batting average has not given much wiggle room to the pitching staff.
In fact, it has been the Boston arms that have kept the Red Sox somewhat afloat with a 3.71 ERA as a team. After storming out of the gate as a rookie in 2021 by appearing in 46 games while striking out 81 batters in 73 1/3 innings of work, Whitlock now leads all of major league baseball with a 0.69 WHIP and a .185 opponents on-base percentage.
If the Red Sox want a sniff of a chance this evening, they will need to take advantage of having runners on base when at the plate and Whitlock will need to continue to deal like he has been all season long.
Why The Braves Could Cover the Spread
As for Atlanta, the braves seem to be trending in the opposite direction of where the Red Sox seem to be headed. After gathering a few wins under their belt in the last few games that they've played, now is the time for Atlanta to show the baseball world what they are made of.
Not to mention, but along with Whitlock for Boston, the Braves may have one of the hottest arms in baseball win twirler Kyle Wright. The former first-round pick back in 2017 has been nearly unhittable this year, as the 26-year-old from Alabama has pitched quite effectively in his five starting outings on the mound.
The most runs he has allowed thus far was in his last start versus the NL leading New York Mets where he gave up his first long ball of the season en route to giving up three runs on nine hits while fanning three batsmen. Wright's ERA still sits at 1.74 on the year, which is tied for seventh among qualifying pitchers in the league.
While the Braves have similar numbers pitching-wise through 30 games, the clear advantage that Atlanta holds over Boston is with the bats. With Acuna Jr. back in the lineup after missing close to a full year thanks to a torn ACL, Atlanta possesses perniciousness from top to bottom. Acuna Jr has picked up right where he left off a season ago, as the star outfielder has reached base in 23 straight games, the longest streak in the National League.
Final Red Sox-Braves Prediction & Pick
This one will no doubt be close, as the key stat in this highly anticipated matchup will be Boston's inability to close out close games. In their past 18 matchups, the Red Sox are 4-14 and have failed to come out on top with the game on the line. In their combined 29 games, Boston has had 17 games decided by two or fewer runs and 10 that have been by only one run. Considering the Braves just came off a sweep of the NL Central Brewers and the Boston bats are not to be trusted, it is hard to put your money on the Red Sox in this one. Side with the defending champs and you will not be mistaken.
Final Red Sox-Braves Pick: Braves -1.5 (+142)
