Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox Free Preview

The Cleveland Indians will be taking on the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The game gets underway 7:10 p.m. ET and SportsTime Ohio will televise this AL matchup.

Cleveland Indians at Boston Red Sox Odds

Vegas is listing Boston (-140) as the favorite over Cleveland (+130). The total sits at 9 runs and bettors can take the over or the under for -110. You can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at Indians +1.5 runs (-170) and Red Sox -1.5 runs (+150).

The Red Sox are 88-38 straight up (SU) and 76-49 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 33.8 units for moneyline bettors and 27.6 units (ATS). Boston has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. On the other hand, the Indians have gone 72-52 SU this year and are 60-63 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 10.7 units for moneyline bettors and 10.2 units ATS. Cleveland 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 had an over/under record of 57-63-5 in 2018. Cleveland has an over/under record of 61-58-4.

Shane Bieber is getting the nod for Cleveland. The right-handed Bieber (6-2, 4.37 ERA) has racked up 71 strikeouts in 68 innings so far. He has yet to face the Red Sox this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.

The Red Sox are handing the ball to righty Nathan Eovaldi (5-4, 3.62 ERA), who’s got 67 strikeouts and 11 walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.04. Eovaldi did not record any MLB pitching stats in 2017.

Cleveland’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 3.29 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 9.38 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.80, along with a WHIP of 1.14.

Indians hitters have slashed .258/.332/.439 on their way to 5.1 runs scored per game this season, including 5.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).

Cleveland’s offensive production has been sparked by shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Michael Brantley. Lindor is slashing .292/.371/.548 with 29 home runs, 76 RBIs, 103 runs and 19 steals, while Brantley is hitting .302 with 14 homers, 67 RBIs and 73 runs scored.

For the home team, Boston’s pitchers have allowed 3.7 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starters have a 3.57 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.31 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 9.7 K/9.

The Boston offense has produced 5.4 runs per contest, including 5.6 per game over its last 10 games and 4.0 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .244/.307/.354 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that span.

J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts have led the charge for the Red Sox hitters this year. Martinez is slashing .332/.402/.662 with 38 home runs, 106 RBIs and 93 runs scored, and Betts has produced a line of .344/.430/.651 with 27 homers, 64 RBIs, 101 runs and 24 steals.

The Indians have lost 9.8 units and are 44-48 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 46 of those games, compared to 43 that’ve gone under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Red Sox have netted 33.2 units and are 61-35 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 43 of those games, as opposed to 49 which went under the total.

Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox Free Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Indians, O/U – OVER

Betting Notes

• The over has hit in three of Cleveland’s last seven contests.
• The Indians have won eight of their last nine games SU.
• Boston has recorded 23 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 20 over its last five.
• The Indians have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.