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The Boston Red Sox take on the Cleveland Guardians. Check out our MLB odds series for our Red Sox Guardians prediction and pick.
Nick Pivetta gets the start for the Red Sox, while Cal Quantrill gets the call for the Guardians.
Nick Pivetta has a 3.31 ERA. After his first three starts of the season, Pivetta's ERA was just over 10 runs. He has shaved 6.7 runs off his ERA in his subsequent 11 starts, in which he has allowed more than three runs only once, and never more than four runs. Pivetta has allowed more than one run in only two of his last seven starts. He, like the Red Sox, is on a roll and in a groove.
Cal Quantrill got roughed up by the Dodgers this past Saturday, giving up five runs in five innings. Yet, a lot of pitchers are going to have a tough time against the Dodgers. That game is the only one since May 10 in which Quantrill has allowed more than three runs in a start. All things considered, he has been very solid and steady — not spectacular, but also not a pitcher who allows games to unravel. Quantrill keeps Cleveland competitive on a regular basis. He does pitch better at home than on the road, too; that point can't and shouldn't be dismissed.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Red Sox-Guardians MLB odds.
MLB Odds: Red Sox-Guardians Odds
Boston Red Sox: -1.5 (+136)
Cleveland Guardians: +1.5 (-164)
Over: 9 (-108)
Under: 9 (-112)
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Why The Red Sox Could Cover the Spread
The Red Sox have won 16 of their last 20 games. The team which couldn't hit its way out of a wet paper bag in April — a team which was unfathomably, perplexingly awful — has been replaced by the team we expected to see this season, fresh off a journey to the American League Championship Series last year. Boston looks every inch like a playoff team and pennant contender. The Yankees are the obvious favorite in the American League, but Boston has the guns to compete with the Bronx Bombers in a short series. The Red Sox have to love their setup for this particular game because Nick Pivetta has been a red-hot pitcher over the past several weeks. He usually doesn't give up more than one run. He's a better pitcher than Cal Quantrill, and the Red Sox are a better team than the Guardians.
Why The Guardians Could Cover the Spread
After losing to the Twins on Thursday, the Guardians should bounce back here. That loss to the Twins was just the third time Cleveland has been shut out this season, the first since April. All in all, the Guardians have played great baseball lately. They won their series in Minnesota despite Thursday's loss. They have won six straight series, and they won a series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles last weekend. Terry Francona has this team locked in, and since Cleveland has a strong closer and overperforming starting pitchers, this is a team which can find numerous ways to win. It is not overly dependent on Jose Ramirez. Lots of other players are picking up the slack on various nights. That makes Cleveland better than you might first think.
Final Red Sox-Guardians Prediction & Pick
Both teams are red-hot entering this game. Cleveland is in a good bounce-back spot, but Pivetta is a better pitcher than Quantrill. It looks like a stay-away game, to be honest. If you insist on a pick, the under looks good at nine runs.
Final Red Sox-Guardians Prediction & Pick: Under 9
