Don’t look now but the Boston Red Sox are on another extended winning streak as they have won their last five and now seek a sixth win in a row in the series finale vs the Philadelphia Phillies. The Red Sox claimed the first game of this two-game set 2-1 and opened as the -135 favorite in this contest with the Phillies coming back at +115. Boston sends Nathan Eovaldi to the hill, while Philly counters with Vince Velasquez. The game has an Sportsbook total of 8.5 runs.
- The total has gone UNDER in the Red Sox’ last four games against the Phillies (avg. combined score: 2.75).
- The total has gone UNDER in seven of the Phillies’ last eight games (avg. combined score: 6.13).
- The Red Sox are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games against the Phillies.
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Eovaldi Searching for any success in a road start
Getting the ball for the Red Sox is trade deadline acquisition Nathan Eovaldi (5-4, 3.74 ERA). The 28-year-old’s first two starts with his new club were terrific as he tossed a combined 15 innings while allowing seven hits and no runs. But then came his first road start for Boston against Baltimore in his last outing. Eovaldi was swarmed for eight runs (four earned) on 10 hits and lasted just 2.2 innings. This season, the Texas native has a sparkling 1.13 home ERA but an ugly 5.70 road mark. Additionally, he holds a 0.82 ERA through five day starts vs a 6.05 ERA over eight night outings.
This is the first time Eovaldi has faced the Phillies since 2014 when he was a member of the Miami Marlins. The Marlins went 4-5 SU over his nine career outings vs the Phillies and the righty holds an impressive 3.51 ERA in those games. However, at Citizens Bank Park, the Marlins went 2-2 over his four trips to the mound and his ERA climbed to 4.57. Eovaldi’s teams are 1-2 SU when he makes an interleague road start this year and he holds a 3.00 ERA in those outings.
Velasquez has been strong at home recently
Opposing Eovaldi in tonight’s game for the Phillies is Vince Velasquez (8-9, 3.98 ERA). The California native has an elevated ERA at home (4.78) vs on the road (3.02), but since mid-June the righty has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last six home starts for a 2.11 ERA. Additionally, the 26-year-old hasn’t allowed a run at home in his last three appearances, including one scoreless inning as a reliever on July 24. Overall, the Phillies are 6-6 SU when Velasquez gets the ball at Citizens Bank Park.
This is the first time since 2015 that Velasquez has made a start against the Red Sox. The righty earned the win in that game as he tossed six innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out seven batters. This season, Velasquez has made two trips to the mound against AL East opponents and the Phillies are 1-1 SU over that span while he holds a 2.13 ERA. According to our pitcher money lost table, Velasquez has cost bettors $521 based on $100 bets on each of his starts in 2018.
The UNDER is trending between the Phillies and Red Sox
There have been a combined 10 runs scored in the first three meetings between the Phillies and Red Sox this year and Sportsbook has tonight’s total Sportsbook at 8.5 runs. The total has gone UNDER in the Red Sox’ last four games against the Phillies with an average combined score of 2.75. Meanwhile, the total has gone UNDER in seven of the Phillies’ last eight games with an average combined score of 6.13. Additionally, the Phillies have gone UNDER 8.5 runs in 10 of Velasquez’s last 14 starts and Eovaldi’s teams have gone UNDER 8.5 runs in eight of his 13 starts this year.
