Red Sox vs. A’s Prediction
The Boston Red Sox are coming off a successful series against the Angels in L.A. and will stay out west when they open a new series against the Oakland A’s. Will they take Game 1 versus Oakland on Friday night?
Game Snapshot & Odds
927 Boston Red Sox (-125) at (928) Oakland A’s (+105); 9 runs
Friday, April 20, 2018
10:05 p.m. ET, Oakland Coliseum
TV: BOS (NESN); OAK (CSCA)
Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager currently list the Red Sox as a -125 favorite. As of this writing, 77% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Red Sox to beat the A’s on the money line. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Pomeranz set to make season debut for Red Sox
Drew Pomeranz (forearm) will make his season debut on Friday against the Athletics.
Pomeranz threw 86 pitches over 5 1/3 innings in his latest minor league rehab start with Double-A Portland on Friday and the club has deemed him ready to return. With the left-hander coming back, Hector Velazquez is expected to be bumped from the Red Sox’ rotation.
Graveman off to an awful start for A’s
Kendall Graveman allowed five earned runs, eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts over four innings in a loss at Seattle on Saturday.
Graveman is having an awful season so far, posting an 0-3 record with a 9.87 ERA through four starts. He has allowed four or more earned runs in each of his four appearances while failing to go longer than five innings. That’s not a good mix. Homers have been his bugaboo, as he has served up six bombs over just 17 1/3 innings. The A’s are just 3-15 in Graveman’s past 18 road starts against winning teams, and they’re just 8-23 over his past 31 road starts overall. It won’t get any easier as he is slated to face Chris Sale and the Red Sox at O.co next Friday.
MLB Betting Trends
Boston
The Red Sox are 9-3 in Pomeranz’s last 12 starts and are 9-4 in his last 13 road outings.
Oakland
The A’s are 3-12 in Graveman’s last 15 starts versus a team with a winning record and are 2-11 in his last 13 starts coming off five days of rest.
Prediction:
I don’t know what to expect out of Pomeranz with this being his season debut but we know what Graveman will do: Give up runs. The Red Sox are incredibly hot, are cheap at the betting window, and are facing a pitcher that is having an awful start to the season. I’ll take Boston on the money line.
The Pick: Boston Red Sox -125