MLB Predictions: Can Sale lead the Red Sox past the Indians? 8/1/17
Will the Boston Red Sox pick up another win over the Cleveland Indians when two top pitchers take the mound tonight at 7:10PM ET? Here’s our MLB Predictions for this game.
THE ODDS
According to the latest oddsmakers, Boston is favored at home, as the Red Sox are getting odds of -165 to win, while the Indians are listed with a money line of +150 to prevail. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 7.5 runs.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The pitching matchup today has Carlos Carrasco (10-4, 3.58 ERA) on the mound for Cleveland to face Chris Sale (13-4, 2.37) of the Red Sox. Sale has been on a tear, failing to allow a run in his last three starts and four of his last five outings. He has 211 strikeouts over 148.1 innings with just 27 walks and a 0.88 WHIP. Carrasco has been good this year, but not dominant. He has allowed just two runs or less in four of his last five starts. Carrasco has 135 strikeouts with 31 walks and a 1.09 WHIP this season.
RECORDS
Boston opened up this series with a 6-2 win at home in a mild upset. It was the first meeting between these two this season. The Sox improved to 58-49 overall with the win and 31-20 at home. Cleveland is now 57-47 overall and 29-23 on the road.
MONDAY’S RECAP
Monday’s game saw Boston get a surprisingly good start from Doug Fister. He went 7.2 innings and allowed just two runs on five hits to get his first win of 2017. Mike Clevinger really struggled, allowing five runs over three innings with four walks and seven hits. Mookie Betts led the Sox with two hits and three RBI, giving him 66 for the season. Rafael Devers added four hits while Eduardo Nunez had three hits and two RBI. Cleveland was led by Bradley Zimmer, who had two hits and two RBI, including his eighth home run of the season.
MLB PREDICTIONS
Cleveland really missed an opportunity on Monday. The Indians came out flat at the plate against a struggling pitcher in Fister. Now the Indians have to face one of the best in the business who has been on top of his game. I like Carrasco, but he is likely to give up a run or two and that may be all Sale needs to get the victory.
MLB Predictions – Boston Red Sox -165
