A day after capturing their third consecutive American League East title, the Boston Red Sox have their sights set on clinching the best record in major league baseball. The BoSox, who have a magic number of two over the Houston Astros in that quest, open a three-game series at Progressive Field against the Cleveland Indians on Friday. Sportsbooks opened the Indians as +115 home underdogs with a total of 8.
- The total has gone UNDER in 11 of the Indians’ last 14 games with Trevor Bauer as the starting pitcher.
- The Red Sox are 4-11 SU in their last 15 games on the road vs the Indians.
- The Red Sox are 9-0 SU in their last nine games with Chris Sale as the starting pitcher.
Red Sox vs Indians Game Center
No shortage of firepower on the mound
Chris Sale and Trevor Bauer will get the start for the Red Sox and Indians, respectively. Sale (12-4, 1.92 ERA) threw three innings of one-hit scoreless ball in his last appearance vs the New York Mets on Sunday. The 29-year-old has won seven straight decisions since losing to the Chicago White Sox on June 8. Sale is facing Cleveland for the first time in 2018 and is 5-8 with a 4.78 ERA in 29 career matchups (18 starts) vs the Indians.
Sale, who fired only 42 pitches his last time out, is expected to be limited to around 65 pitches today. The Red Sox pushed Sale’s start up by a day in order for the southpaw to make another start Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles before the end of the season.
Bauer (12-6, 2.22) won four straight starts and five decisions before going on the disabled list with a leg injury. The hurler has been fantastic at home, posting a 6-1 record with a 1.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 12 starts. Bauer is 2-2 with a bloated 8.24 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) vs the Red Sox.
Red Sox have been money behind Sale of late
It should come as no surprise when you examine how good the Red Sox’ numbers have been behind Sale, but it’s worth a look anyway. Boston is a perfect 9-0 SU in its past nine with Sale on the mound, and the Red Sox are 8-0-1 SU on the five-inning moneyline in that span. Boston is also 16-6 SU in its last 22 games when Sportsbook a series.
UNDER trending in Bauer’s recent starts
Bettors banking on low-scoring games have been profiting in a big way when Bauer gets the ball. In his last 14 starts, the Red Sox have gone UNDER in 11 of them. The UNDER is also 6-1 in Bauer’s last seven games against the American League East, while four of his past five home starts against teams with winning records have gone below the closing total. Expect the UNDER to get no shortage of traction at sportsbooks.
Why I’m on the Red Sox in this one
While the Red Sox have already wrapped up the AL East, I don’t expect them to take their foot off the gas pedal any time soon. Bauer’s poor track record vs Boston is the biggest reason I’m backing the Red Sox -135 moneyline tonight, but the Red Sox winning Sale’s last nine starts just inspires more confidence in me.
