The Cincinnati Reds (44-40) are set to face off against the Boston Red Sox (41-44) in a three-game series beginning Monday at Fenway Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. This marks their first meeting of the season; however, the Red Sox won the season series last year 2-1.
The Reds enter the series with momentum, having just secured a 2-1 series victory against the San Diego Padres, capped off by a thrilling 3-2 win on Sunday. In that game, the Reds were trailing with a win probability of just 18.5% entering the eighth inning but mounted a comeback, scoring two runs in the ninth, highlighted by a bases-loaded single from right fielder Will Benson.
In contrast, the Red Sox are struggling, having dropped two out of three games to the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite a recent 15-1 win over the Blue Jays, they’ve managed only one victory in their last eight games, further highlighting their current inconsistency.
The pitching matchup features the Reds’ rookie right-hander Chase Burns and the Red Sox’s left-hander Garrett Crochet. Burns, making his second MLB start with a 0-0 record and a 5.40 ERA, impressed in his debut against the New York Yankees, striking out eight over five innings. Crochet, on the other hand, boasts a strong record of 7-4 with a 2.06 ERA and has been particularly effective this season, leading the AL in innings pitched.
Betting lines from BetMGM Sportsbook indicate the Reds as underdogs at +140 and the Red Sox at -170. Analysis suggests that while the Red Sox have a recent winning edge, the Reds are well-positioned to cover the spread, especially considering Boston’s struggles to score runs lately.
Predictions lean toward a tight game, with a potential final of Red Sox 3, Reds 2. Betting advice includes taking the Reds at +1.5 (-150) and the Under at 7.5 (-105), as both teams have shown tendencies for low-scoring games.
This series promises to be an exciting matchup, as both teams look to shift their trajectories. The Reds aim to continue building on their recent success, while the Red Sox desperately seek to find consistency in their performance. It could be an opportunity for the Reds to solidify their standing, while the Red Sox look to regain some momentum.