The San Diego Padres will begin a three-game series with the Boston Red Sox on Friday at Fenway Park. We're here to share our MLB odds series, make a Padres-Red Sox prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.

Padres-Red Sox Projected Starters 

Randy Vasquez vs. Nick Pivetta

Randy Vasquez (2-4) with a 5.10 ERA

Last Start: Vasquez labored through his last outing despite not allowing a run, as he tossed five shutout innings while striking out three and walking three in a win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

2024 Road Splits: Vasquez has been considerably worse on the road, going 1-2 with a 6.85 ERA over five starts away from Petco Park.

Nick Pivetta (4-4) with a 4.06 ERA

Last Start: Vasquez struggled in his last start, going 4 1/3 innings while allowing three earned runs on six hits, striking out five, and walking one in a no-decision against the Cincinnati Reds.

2024 Home Splits: Pivetta is slightly worse at home, going 1-2 with a 4.62 ERA over five starts at Fenway Park.

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Padres-Red Sox Odds

San Diego Padres: +1.5 (-172)

Moneyline: +134

Boston Red Sox: -1.5 (+142)

Moneyline: -158

Over: 9.5 (-105)

Under: 9.5 (-115)

How to Watch Padres vs. Rays

Time: 7:10 PM ET/4:10 PM PT

TV: Apple TV

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Padres Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Padres are 44-41 and squarely in the wildcard race, sitting in the second spot right now. However, things may take a turn as they may have to survive without one of their best players. Fernando Tatis Jr. is out for at least a month after suffering a quad injury. Currently, the prognosis calls for a return after the All-Star break. That would mean the Padres must play without him for at least three weeks. Can this offense survive?

The offense currently ranks second in baseball in batting average and fifth in on-base percentage. Likewise, San Diego ranks sixth in runs, eighth in home runs, and 10th in slugging percentage. But they must go on without Tatis, meaning others must step up.

Luis Arraez is having a good season, batting .317 with two home runs, 17 RBIs, and 23 runs over 47 games since the Padres acquired him in a trade with the Miami Marlins. Furthermore, he has done well in his career against the Sox, hitting .284 with 21 hits, one home run, 12 RBIs, and 11 runs over 22 games. Manny Machado is batting .264 with eight home runs, 40 RBIs, and 35 runs. Also, he has done solid work against Boston, hitting .276 with 108 hits, 17 home runs, 54 RBIs, and 48 runs over 98 games. The Padres will be without Xander Bogaerts, who will not get to face his old team. Therefore, they might need more from other hitters and for the pitching to strive for greatness.

The Padres hope Vasquez can give them a good start for a rotation that has been pretty inconsistent. So far, the starting rotation is 16th in team ERA this season. When Vasquez is finished, he will turn it over to an even more inconsistent bullpen. Currently, their relievers rank 18th in team ERA.

The Padres will cover the spread if Arraez sets the tone and gets on base. Then, he needs the hitters behind him, including Machado, to drive him in to help ease the pressure off Vasquez.

Why The Red Sox Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Red Sox are currently 43-37 and clinging to the last wildcard spot in the American League. Thus, they have played well this season with a combination of a great offense and solid pitching.

The Red Sox are seventh in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Moreover, they are also 11th in runs and 12th in home runs. There are three players to watch in this one.

Jarren Duran is one, as Boston expects him to set things up at the top of the lineup. He is batting .288 with seven home runs, 37 RBIs, and 55 runs. Rafael Devers is the most dangerous hitter in the lineup, batting .285 with 16 home runs, 42 RBIs, and 47 runs. However, he has struggled in limited action against the Padres, hitting .192 with five hits, two home runs, five RBIs, and five runs over six games. Tyler O'Neill is a solid hitter, batting .262 with 16 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 42 runs. Thus, expect him to make things difficult for Vasquez.

The Red Sox have been solid this season, thanks to a good starting rotation. Now, Pivetta takes the mound for a starting rotation that is ninth in team ERA. Once Pivetta finishes his turn on the mound, he will turn it over to a tough bullpen to hit. Amazingly, the Boston relievers are seventh in the majors in team ERA.

The Red Sox will cover the spread if their top hitters can get on base and produce long innings. Then, they need Vasquez to avoid making mistakes.

Final Padres-Red Sox Prediction & Pick

The Padres' run-line record is 43-42, while the Red Sox's is 36-44. Moreover, the Padres are 24-12 against the spread as the underdog, while the Red Sox are just 10-30 against the spread as the favorite. The Padres are also 24-14 against the spread as the road team, while the Red Sox are just 13-27 against the spread at Fenway Park. Yes, the Padres are dealing with two injuries to their lineup. But they have consistently played better on the road. Padres cover the spread on the road.

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Final Padres-Red Sox Prediction & Pick: San Diego Padres +1.5 (-172)