Chicago White Sox vs. Boston Red Sox Preview
Where: Fenway Park – Boston, MA
When: Saturday, August 5, 2017, 7:10 PM ET
Line: Chicago White Sox (+245) vs. Boston Red Sox (-285); total: 10.0 – view all MLB lines
TV Broadcast: NESN, CSCh
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Betting on the Chicago White Sox (41-66)
It’s safe to say James Shields (2-3, 6.19 ERA) would want to put the month of July behind him. In five starts last month, Shields recorded a god-awful 9.00 ERA. Even though the White Sox earned a 7-6 victory in his last start, Shields’ performance in that ballgame was an utter disaster. He allowed three homers and six earned runs against the Kansas City Royals on Monday. That’s the third time Shields had allowed three long balls in a game since coming off the disabled list on June 18.
Given Shields’ erratic form, the White Sox’s offense will need to stand tall against the Red Sox this coming Saturday. One guy who needs to step up for Chicago is first baseman Jose Abreu. He’s batting just .231 in his last seven games with a homer and five RBIs. Abreu, who leads the White Sox in RBIs, hits and on-base percentage this campaign, went 1-of-4 in the loss to Boston last night.
Betting on the Boston Red Sox (61-49)
The Boston Red Sox are starting to pull away in the AL East. Mitch Moreland’s walkoff homer in the 11th inning against the White Sox on Friday lifted Boston to its fourth consecutive win. More importantly for the Red Sox, they have now established a three-game lead against the reeling New York Yankees in the division standings.
The Red Sox will look to pile more pressure on their arch-rivals when they host the White Sox in the third game of their four-game set tonight. Pitching for Boston in this crunch clash is Drew Pomeranz (10-4, 3.46 ERA). The lefty has been playing some excellent baseball of late, winning each of his last four decisions. He was outstanding in his last start against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, throwing 6.2 innings of one-run ball. The Red Sox couldn’t turn Pomeranz’s strong showing into a victory, however, as they suffered a gut-wrenching 5-3 loss.
Pomeranz, who hasn’t earned a loss since June 11, won his only other start against the Chicago White Sox this season. He allowed just one run on seven hits in seven innings of action in Boston’s 4-1 win over Chicago last May 31. Pomeranz struck out eight batters and didn’t allow a single walk in that ballgame.
As fabulous as Pomeranz has been this season, he can’t do it all by himself. The Red Sox have been outscored 11-8 in his last two starts. One guy who needs to contribute for the AL East leaders tonight is the red-hot Eduardo Nunez. Boston’s newest recruit is batting .393 (11-of-28) in his last six games with three homers and 11 RBIs. Nunez will be licking his chops at the prospect of facing James Shields as he is 8-of-15 in his career against the scheduled White Sox starter with two homers and three RBIs.
Writer’s Prediction
Boston (-285) wins, 7-2.
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