The Cincinnati Reds (26-29) visit the Boston Red Sox (28-27) for the finale of their three-game series. First pitch commences Thursday at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Reds will be going for a 3-0 sweep in Boston after taking the first two games: 5-4 and 9-8. Below we continue our MLB odds series with a Reds-Red Sox prediction, pick, and how to watch.

Here are the Reds-Red Sox MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Reds-Red Sox Odds

Cincinnati Reds: +1.5 (-137)

Boston Red Sox: -1.5 (+114)

Over: 9 (-118)

Under: 9 (-104)

How To Watch Reds vs. Red Sox

TV: Bally Sports, NESN

Stream: MLB.tv

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET/ 4:10 p.m. PT

*See how to watch Reds-Red Sox LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why The Reds Could Cover The Spread

Last 10: 7-3 (Third in the NL Central)

Run Line Record: 33-22 (60%)

Over Record: 31-24 (56%)

Cincinnati enters June on an absolute tear with five consecutive wins. After a 12-15 opening month, their recent hot streak propelled them to finish May 14-13. Perhaps the biggest change over their last month was their offense. They hit just .249 and averaged 4.5 runs per game in April but improved to .266 with 4.9 runs per game in May. After winning the first two games of this series, the Reds are well-positioned to come away with their second consecutive sweep (and just the third for the season). Although they face a tough matchup in Chris Sale, the Reds trot their own ace onto the bump and thus stand a strong chance of covering yet again as road underdogs.

Fireballer Hunter Greene (1-4) makes his 12th start for the Reds tonight. Cincinnati's prized 23-year-old looked to be on the cusp of a breakout after a hot finish to 2022. He got off to a solid start after recording a 2.19 ERA in April but struggled in his first four starts in May. However, he flipped the script in his most recent start – throwing six no-hit innings against the Cubs where he struck out 11 hitters. While Greene can struggle with command and falls victim to the long ball, his strikeout stuff is undeniable. His 12.9 K/9 certainly catches your eye but he'll need to be sharp against a Red Sox lineup that strikes out at the sixth-lowest rate in the majors.

The Reds' recent turnaround can largely be attributed to some hot performances from their hitters. That starts with corner infielder Spencer Steer who hit a blistering .318 in May while leading the team with six home runs, 19 RBI, and 63 total bases. The 25-year-old looks to be in the midst of a full-on breakout and went 3/7 with a homer in the first two games of the tiers.

Why The Red Sox Could Cover The Spread

Last 10: 3-7 (Fifth in the AL East)

Run Line Record: 28-27 (51%)

Over Record: 32-21-2 (60%)

After a strong opening month, Boston regressed in May. Despite a better record in April, Boston actually held a much higher average in May (.255 – .272). However, the Red Sox miraculously struggled to score at the same rate as their runs per game dropped from 5.5 to 4.7. They ended the month on a particularly sour note with seven losses in their last nine games. That said, they managed to secure huge series wins on the road against the Diamondbacks and Padres in their last four series. Still, Boston finds itself facing a road sweep after dropping each of the first two games against the Reds by a single run. Consequently, the Red Sox will need a stellar outing from Chris Sale if they want to cover as 1.5-run favorites tonight.

Lefty Chris Sale (5-2) makes his 11th start of the season for the Red Sox tonight. Sale faced major question marks coming into the season after he managed just 48.1 innings over the last two seasons. Things looked bleak after his first five starts. He held a sky-high 8.22 ERA and allowed fewer than three runs just once. Since then, however, he's completely flipped the script. He ended April on a high note with 6.1 innings of one-run ball before cursing through four May starts during which he held a 2.42 ERA. With fewer than three runs allowed in each of his last three starts, Sale looks like his former self.

That said, he faces a tough matchup tonight against a blistering-hot Cincinnati team that has destroyed left-handed pitching this season. They're hitting .278 and slugging .424 against lefties this year but their 26% strikeout rate could put Sale (10.6 K/9) in a sneaky-good position to succeed.

Final Reds-Red Sox Prediction & Pick

Both games in this series have been decided by a single run but I like the Red Sox to salvage the series and take full advantage of an inconsistent Hunter Greene.

Final Reds-Red Sox Prediction & Pick: Boston Red Sox -1.5 (+114)