Chicago White Sox vs. Boston Red Sox Predictions, Picks and MLB Preview – June 23, 2016

This four-game series between the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox has been pretty lopsided. The White Sox have won the first three meetings and are just one win away from completing the sweep. Can they notch another win this afternoon, or will the Red Sox finally get their act together? Read on further for more about this American League showdown.

For more baseball, click here to view our breakdown of the Oakland Athletics vs. Los Angeles Angels.

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Chicago White Sox vs. Boston Red Sox Betting Preview

Where: Fenway Park, Boston

When: Thursday, June 23, 2016, 1:35 PM ET

Line: Chicago White Sox (+200) vs. Boston Red Sox (-240); total: 10.5 – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast(s): NESN, WGN

Betting on the Chicago White Sox (36-36)

Looking to keep the Chicago White Sox rolling is James Shields (2-9, 6.28 ERA), who’s set to get the nod in today’s series finale versus the Boston Red Sox. He’s had a horrible beginning to his career in Chicago, as the former Padres pitcher has allowed 24 hits and 21 earned runs in his previous three starts.

The struggle for Shields is bound to continue, unfortunately. He’s gone just 1-4 with a 7.18 ERA through six starts on the road this season. The same could also be said in his past encounters with the Red Sox. The veteran righty is 9-13 with a 4.37 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP and a .255 opponents’ average across 26 starts in the said matchup.

So with Shields expected to continue his woes on the mound, the pressure falls on the White Sox, who are priced +425 to win the AL Central division crown, to generate some much-needed runs at the plate.

Melky Cabera should be able to lead the charge in doing so. He boasts a team-high .291 batting average and is 14-of-25 with four doubles, three runs batted in and one homer all-time against Boston starter Rick Porcello.

Chicago is 4-6 SU in its last 10 road games.

Betting on the Boston Red Sox (39-32)

The Boston Red Sox, meanwhile, are desperate to notch their first win in this series. Their chances of doing so will heavily depend on how well Rick Porcello (8-2, 3.76 ERA) performs on the mound later. He’s been pretty solid in his last three starts, surrendering just three earned runs or fewer and registering a total of 17 strikeouts. Boston went 2-1 in that stretch.

Porcello, however, has had his share of bad moments against the Chicago White Sox. He’s only 10-8 with an ERA of 4.09 in 21 career starts in that particular matchup. And so, there’s no question that the Red Sox, who are the top favorites (+150) to win the AL East division title, better get some timely contributions on offense.

Expect either Xander Bogaerts or David Ortiz to heat up the plate. The two are batting .351 and .339, respectively, this year.

Ortiz, specifically, has been having a sensational farewell season. The soon-to-retire veteran currently leads his team in homers (18), RBIs (60) and OBP (.424). He also heads into today’s game carrying a solid triple-slash line of .377/.474/.762 at home.

Boston is 7-3 SU in its last 10 home games with Porcello starting.

Writer’s Prediction

Boston (-240) wins this one, 9-5.