The Boston Red Sox are trying to avoid dropping their fourth straight game as they play host to the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park. SportsTime Ohio will broadcast this AL matchup and the action gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox Odds
Boston (+105) is the home-team underdog against Cleveland (-115) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this game at 9 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total sit at -120 for the over and +100 for the under. You can also bet on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at +130 for the Indians -1.5 runs and -150 for the Red Sox +1.5.
The Indians are 73-52 SU and are 60-64 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 9.7 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 11.2 units ATS. Cleveland is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Red Sox, on the other hand, are 88-39 SU and 77-49 ATS. The team has gained 32.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 28.6 units ATS. Boston has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Boston games have an over/under record of 58-63-5 in 2018. The Indians have an over/under record of 62-58-4.
Right-hander Carlos Carrasco will get the start for the visiting Indians. Carrasco (15-6, 3.33 ERA) has racked up 161 punchouts in 143.1 innings so far. He has yet to face Boston this year, but he made two starts against the team in 2017, compiling a 0-1 record with an 11.88 ERA and seven strikeouts.
The Red Sox are turning to lefty Brian Johnson (4-3, 4.00 ERA), who has 72 strikeouts and 27 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.37. Johnson did not record a start against the Indians in 2017.
Boston’s pitchers have allowed 3.7 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.60, a WHIP of 1.19 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.5. The bullpen has a 3.32 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 9.7 K/9.
Boston’s hitters have put up 5.4 runs per outing, including 4.0 per game over its last 10 games and 3.8 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .219/.265/.344 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts have paced the Red Sox hitters this year. Martinez is hitting .331/.401/.658 with 38 home runs, 106 RBIs and 94 runs scored, while Betts is batting .340 with 27 homers, 64 RBIs, 101 runs and 24 stolen bases.
In the visiting dugout, Cleveland’s pitching staff allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.30 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 9.36 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.77, along with a K-per-9 of 8.97.
The Indians offense has slashed .259/.333/.441 on its way to 5.1 runs scored per game this year, including 5.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Cleveland’s hitters have been led by shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Michael Brantley. Lindor is slashing .289/.368/.543 with 29 home runs, 76 RBIs, 103 runs and 19 stolen bases, while Brantley is slashing .304/.359/.475 with 14 homers, 68 RBIs and 73 runs scored.
The Indians have lost 0.8 units and are 16-15 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in 15 of those games, compared to 15 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Red Sox have netted 32.1 units and are 62-35 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 44 of those games, compared to 49 that’ve gone under.
Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Red Sox, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in three of Cleveland’s last seven outings.
- The Indians have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
- Boston has recorded 19.2 runs + hits + errors per game over its last 10 contests and 17.8 over its last five.
- The Indians have won nine of their last 10 games SU.
