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The Boston Red Sox will head to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies in the first of a three-game set on Friday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Red Sox-Phillies prediction and pick.
This inter-league series will feature some fireworks at the plate and electrifying stuff on the bump. Boston currently leads the American League East with a 27-18 record on the season. Philadelphia is in the middle of the pack in the loaded National League East with a 22-22 record to date.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Red Sox-Phillies odds.
MLB Odds: Red Sox-Phillies Odds
Boston Red Sox +1.5 (-150)
Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (+130)
Over 8.5 Runs (-114)
Under 8.5 Runs (-106)
Why The Red Sox Could Cover The Spread
The Boston Red Sox have been playing phenomenal baseball lately as they've won five of their last seven games coming in. Boston is coming off of a one-run victory in the rubber match of their prior series against the Blue Jays. The Red Sox continued their hot hitting in that game as they scored eight runs on 14 hits to secure the series victory. Boston has played very well away from Fenway with wins in 14 of their first 20 road games this season.
JD Martinez and crew have hit the cover off of the ball this year. Martinez has been especially great at the plate for the Sox early on. The outfielder is batting .331 with a team-high 12 long balls and 37 RBI. He has hit a home run in each of his last two games and seems to be seeing the ball very well at the plate. Boston is averaging 5.16 runs per game this year, which is good for third in the Majors.
The Red Sox will turn to left-hander Martin Perez for the opener. Perez has put together a solid start to the year going 1-2 with a 3.40 ERA. He has pitched especially well on the road with a 2.30 ERA in opposing ballparks. The southpaw is coming off of one of his best starts of the season as he threw six innings of shutout ball against the Angels on May 15th.
Why The Phillies Could Cover The Spread
The Philadelphia Phillies will look to turn things around in this series as they've been reeling of late. The Phillies have lost four of their last five games coming in and dropped their last game by six runs at home to Miami. Philadelphia was shutout in the recent loss and couldn't seem to get anything going at the plate. Despite the recent struggles, the Phillies have won 14 of their first 22 home games this year, which has to be promising for a club that desperately needs a turnaround.
The Phillies will send out right-hander Aaron Nola for the opener. Nola has had a solid start to the season as he carries a 3-3 record and 3.64 ERA into this start. His stuff has been especially good at home this season, too. Nola has a 1.40 ERA at Citizens Bank Park coming in. He has earned the loss in each of his last two starts and will look for a big bounce-back performance in this game.
Final Red Sox-Phillies Prediction & Pick
I don't see the Boston Red Sox slowing down any time soon, especially against a lackluster club like the Phillies. Boston is absolutely raking and the pitching staff has certainly exceeded expectations. Martin Perez is being asked to keep runs at a minimum as they know they'll plate guys on a regular basis. These two teams have been a tale of two stories lately as the Sox have won five of their last seven and the Phillies have lost four of their last five.
FINAL PICK: Boston Red Sox ML (+140)
