Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies Predictions, Picks and Preview – April 8, 2015

It didn’t take long for the Boston Red Sox to make a big splash this season. They signed key winter acquisition Rick Porcello to a four-year $82.5 million extension on Opening Day. But is the former Detroit starter worth all the money? He’ll have to prove it tonight in an interleague matchup with Philadelphia.

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Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview

Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

When: Wednesday, April 8, 7:05 PM ET

Line: Boston Red Sox (-140) at Philadelphia Phillies (+130); total 8.0 – view all MLB lines

Betting on the Boston Red Sox

There’s plenty at stake for Rick Porcello’s first start as a member of the Red Sox. He’ll have to prove that he’s worth the big contract he signed on Opening Day. Porcello went 76-63 with a 4.30 ERA over six seasons at Detroit. He set career bests in ERA (3.43), wins (15) and innings pitched (204.2) in 2014.

[sc:MLB240banner ]The right-hander has faced the Phillies just once in his career. Porcello allowed three earned runs on seven hits over six innings to earn a win in July 2013. He received plenty of run support in a 12-4 Detroit win. Run support should be plentiful for Porcello considering Boston’s big bats.

Key free agent signee Hanley Ramirez exploded in his Red Sox debut, going 2-for-4 with two home runs (one grand slam) and a career-high tying five RBIs. Dustin Pedroia also hit two homers, while Mookie Betts hit a homer of his own.

Of the three, Ramirez has had the most experience against Philadelphia’s Aaron Harang, hitting 10-of-29 with five homers and seven RBIs in his career. David Ortiz, who went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on Opening Day, is 5-for-11 with a homer and three doubles lifetime against the Phillies right-hander.

Another free agent signee Pablo Sandoval was quiet in his Boston debut, going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. Considering he’s hit .192 lifetime against Harang, Sandoval may not live up to his fat $95 million contract with the Red Sox just yet.

Boston has won five of its last seven games against Philadelphia.

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Betting on the Philadelphia Philies

It was an uninspiring start to the season for the Philadelphia Phillies, who finished near the bottom of the National League last season. They were limited to just three hits on Opening Day and went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position. Ben Revere, Odubel Herrera and Chase Utley, the first three batters in the order, each went 0-for-4 on Opening Day. Herrera and Utley each had two strikeouts.

But Revere should have some success against Boston’s Porcello. He’s hit .368 with a triple and two RBIs in his career against the former Detroit pitcher.  No. 5 hitter Carlos Ruiz hit 1-of-3 with an RBI in his only game against Porcello. Ruiz went 1-for-2 and walked twice on Monday.

Providing run support is crucial against Boston’s potent offense. Philadelphia starter Harang is 2-2 with a 5.08 ERA in five career starts against the Red Sox. But Harang did show promise last season, throwing six innings of two-run ball in a 6-3 loss to Boston in May 2014 but didn’t receive a decision.  Harang went 12-12 in 33 starts with Atlanta in 2014, and finished with a career-best 3.57 ERA.

Harang has lost his last five home starts.

Writer’s Prediction

Boston explodes for another blowout, but Philadelphia chips in a couple of runs. Take the total to go over 8.0.
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