The Boston Red Sox will be taking on the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. NBC Sports – California will showcase this AL matchup and the opening pitch will be at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Boston Red Sox at Oakland Athletics Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Boston (-130) as the favorite over Oakland (+120). The total sits at 9 runs and gamblers can take the over for even money (+100) and the under for -120. You can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds coming in at Red Sox -1.5 runs (+115) and Athletics 1.5 runs (-135).
The Athletics are 10-11 SU and 8-12 ATS. They’ve lost 2.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 6.0 units against the spread (ATS). Oakland has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total went over in six of those seven. The Red Sox are 17-3 SU and have gone 12-7 ATS. Overall, the team’s gained 14.9 units for moneyline bettors in this young season and 5.9 units ATS. Boston has covered the spread in each of its last seven games and the total has gone over in six of those seven.
Oakland games have an over/under record of 12-7-1 so far in 2018. Red Sox games have gone over 12 times, gone under six times and pushed on one occasion.
Left-hander David Price is projected to start for Boston. Price is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 17 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Athletics this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Athletics are handing the ball to righty Daniel Mengden (2-2, 4.50 ERA), who has 18 strikeouts and three walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.17. Mengden did not record a start against the Red Sox in 2017.
Boston’s pitching staff allowed 2.8 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 2.28 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 10.00 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.27, along with a WHIP of 1.08.
Red Sox hitters have slashed .282/.353/.478 on their way to 6.2 runs scored per game in 2018, including 6.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez have led Boston’s offense. Betts is slashing .366/.459/.732 with six home runs, 14 RBIs and 23 runs scored, while Martinez (.324/.351/.592) has produced four homers, 15 RBIs and 13 runs scored.
Martinez didn’t do especially well against righties on the road last season. Over 177 such plate appearances, he maintained a slash line of .255/.299/.588 (compared to his total season line of .303/.376/.690).
For the home team, Oakland’s pitchers have given up 5.0 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starting pitching staff has a 4.88 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.99 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 7.0 K/9.
The Oakland hitters have produced 5.2 runs per contest, including 6.6 per game over its last 10 games and 7.2 per game over their last five. The team has hit .289/.387/.481 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Jed Lowrie and third baseman Matt Chapman have led the charge for the Athletics’ batters this year. Lowrie is hitting .367/.418/.633 with six home runs, 23 RBIs and 12 runs scored, and Chapman’s line is .295/.389/.564 with five homers, 13 RBIs and 17 runs.
Chapman appeared to enjoy hitting at home last year. Across 165 plate appearances, he slashed .284/.352/.541 (compared to his overall season line of .234/.313/.472).
The Red Sox have gained 12.8 units and are 11-6 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 11 of those games, as opposed to five that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Athletics have lost 5.4 units and are 2-5 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has cashed in three of those games, compared to three that went under the total.
Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Red Sox, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Athletics have won five of their last six games SU.
Oakland has posted 27.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 28.8 over its last five.
The Red Sox have hit 18 home runs in their last 10 games, including 13 over their last five.
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