The Boston Red Sox (45-43) will look to make up ground in a crowded American League Wild Card race when they host the Oakland Athletics (25-64) on Friday night.
- Athletics vs Red Sox Game Info
- < strong>Athletics vs Red Sox Odds & Spread
- Athletics vs Red Sox Betting Trends
- Athletics vs Red Sox Prediction & Pick
- Athletics vs Red Sox Best Bet
Athletics vs Red Sox Game Info
- Date:'Friday, July 7, 2023
- Time:'7:10 p.m. ET
- Venue:'Fenway Park — Boston, MA
- Coverage:'NBCSCA and NESN
Boston enters Friday as a victor in five of its last six games following a series win over the Texas Rangers this week. Meanwhile, Oakland checks in as a loser in 14 of its last 20 games, but did just earn a series win over the Detroit Tigers. These teams haven't met on the field since June of 2022.
Athletics vs Red Sox Odds & Spread
- Moneyline:'OAK: (+205) | BOS: (-250)
- Spread:'OAK: +1.5 (+108) | BOS: -1.5 (-130)
- Total:'10.5 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
The Red Sox enter this contest as clear home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 7:10 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 10.5 runs with both sides available at -110 odds.
Athletics vs Red Sox Betting Trends
- Oakland is 3-6 straight up in its last nine away games.
- The total has hit the over in six of Oakland's last eight games.
- Boston is 6-1 straight up in its last seven games against Oakland.
- The total has hit the under in four of Boston's last five home games.
Athletics vs Red Sox Prediction & Pick
There haven't been many bright spots on Oakland's roster in what is a forgetful season. It's easy to look at Luis Medina's 6.37 ERA and think he is not one of those bright spots, but the 24-year-old has found some momentum as of late. He has allowed 2 earned runs or less in three of his last five starts.
Boston will counter by sending Brennan Bernadino to the mound on Friday night. Bernadino is being used as an opener here and sports a 2.70 ERA across 26.2 innings. Brandon Walter is expected to be relied on for a bulk of the innings once Bernadino leaves. Walter has posted a 3.12 ERA in 8.2 innings.
It's tempting to take the Athletics in an upset on the road, but their bullpen ranks dead last in terms of ERA (5.69). Any help that Medina can provide is likely just going to be wiped out in the last few innings. Take Boston to emerge victorious as it has won six of its last seven matchups against Oakland.
Final Score Prediction:'Athletics: 4 | Red Sox: 5
Athletics vs Red Sox Best Bet
It's already been mentioned how Medina has settled into a groove over his last few outings. His ability to punch out hitters has been a big reason as to how he has done that. Medina has tallied at least 4 strikeouts in eight of his last nine outings overall. Boston is not an easy lineup to face, but it is a lineup that ranks 24th in called strike percentage (17.4%). The Red Sox regularly lets strikes go right on by.