In the last of a three-game series between the Boston Red Sox (62-72) and the Philadelphia Phillies (53-82) at Fenway Park, Eduardo Rodriguez (8-5, 4.25 ERA) and Jerad Eickhoff (1-2, 2.84 ERA) get the start. The Red Sox won the last game 9-2 and Boston leads the series 2-0. The game gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sep. 6 and will air on CSPh and NESN.
In his last start, Rodriguez pitched 5.0 innings, giving up one, striking out four and walking three in a 4-3 victory over the Yankees. David Ortiz (.267, 61 Rs, 30 HRs, 83 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 5 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. The Phillies were unsuccessful the last time Eickhoff pitched. He went 7.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out four and walking two in a 3-1 loss to the Mets. Jeff Francoeur (.271, 31 Rs, 12 HRs, 43 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Boston is a heavy -210 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. The Red Sox are 35-39 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -1,362. They are 6-4 SU and perfect as the favorite (2-0) in their last 10 games. The Red Sox come into the game with the third-ranked scoring offense in the AL, averaging 4.5 runs per game. The Red Sox rank third in the AL in hits with 9.2 per game. Don’t expect the Boston hitters to swing wildly. They average only 6.9 strikeouts per game.
Across the field, the Phillies have a subpar record of 48-75 when they are the underdog and are -648 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 3-7 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 3-7 record. Philadelphia has been playing better lately, averaging 5.3 runs per game, more than their season average of 3.9. One of the top road hitting teams in the NL are the Phillies, who average 8.9 hits in games away from home. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the Philadelphia pitchers. They allowed 6.4 runs per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 5.1.
In their previous five games this season, the Red Sox have a 4-1 record. This game will feature Eickhoff (RHP) on the mound against the Red Sox, who have a 46-51 record when they take on a right-handed starter. The left-handed Rodriguez will take the mound against the Phillies, who have a 13-17 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Bos, O/U – Over
Notes
Philadelphia has won 41% (27-39) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Boston has won 46% (31-36) of its games when taking a late lead.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Phillies are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Red Sox have a 6-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they outhit their opponents, the Phillies are 31-14. The Red Sox have a 49-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 26th in runs, Philadelphia has earned 525 this season. Boston ranks third with 609 runs.
Ranking 26th, Philadelphia is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 318 this season. Boston ranks in the top half at 14th with 389.
When the Red Sox hit at least one home run, they are 47-41. When the Phillies hit at least one homer, they have a 35-39 record.
