The Indians and Red Sox begin a three-game series in Boston on Friday evening. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Indians-Red Sox prediction and pick.
These two teams should be very familiar with each other. Just last weekend, the Indians hosted the Red Sox, where the Sox won two of three games. Entering this series, both teams carry winning streaks; the Red Sox won the final two games of their series in Tampa Bay, while the Indians just swept the Royals. The Red Sox have much better playoff odds than the Indians, although the Indians still do have an outside chance at a Wild Card berth.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the lines for Friday's matchup.
MLB Odds: Indians-Red Sox Odds
Cleveland Indians (+157)
Boston Red sox (-171)
Over 9 runs (+100)
Under 9 runs (-120)
*Watch MLB games LIVE with fuboTV (Click for free trial)*
Why The Indians Could Win
The Indians dominant pitching was on display in their sweep of the Royals. The pitching staff allowed just seven runs the entire series and looks to carry that momentum into Fenway Park. Luckily for Cleveland, their starting pitcher on Friday night has pitched incredibly well lately. Cal Quantrill posted a 1.42 ERA in six August starts. In three of those starts, Quantrill went at least 6.0 innings and allowed no earned runs. His last start was also versus the Red Sox, and he threw another quality start. In that outing, he went 7.0 innings, allowing just two runs (one earned), while striking out six batters. Given Quantrill's recent success and especially his stellar start against the Red Sox last week, he's a good bet to replicate that performance and extend Cleveland's winning streak to five games.
Why The Red Sox Could Win
The Red Sox just took two games from the American League's best team, winning team important contests at The Trop. Now they head home to Fenway, where they look to widen their lead in the AL Wild Card race (and perhaps even make one last run for the AL East crown). Since August 11, Nathan Eovaldi has. 1.85 ERA in four starts. The Red Sox earned the win in three of those games and Eovaldi did not allow more than two runs in any of those starts. Last weekend against Cleveland, he allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings. He also struck out seven batters. Additionally, Eovaldi issued just four walks in all of August. This will be a pitcher's duel no matter what, but if Eovaldi can continue his excellent pitching as he's displayed lately, look for the powerful Red Sox offense to break this game open when they get to the Indians bullpen.
Final Indians-Red Sox Prediction & Pick
In what I see being a 1-1 type of game heading into the eight or ninth inning, I think the Red Sox have the better offense. But Cleveland is coming off a sweep and has the greater amount of momentum now. That will carry over into the ninth inning at Fenway, where Cleveland will collect a few clutch hits to win this game by one run.
FINAL PICK: Indians MONEYLINE (+157)
Follow Us
Subscribe