Boston Red Sox vs Chicago White Sox MLB Picks, Odds, Predictions 4/16/21
2021-04-16 19:10:00 EDT
The Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox meet Friday in MLB action from Fenway Park.
The White Sox are coming off a series versus the Indians this week. After going 2-1 in the first three installments, on Thursday Chicago fell by two runs. As for Boston, they played the Twins this week. The Red Sox took wins in the first three games, then on Thursday Boston fell in a tough one-run loss. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Chicago took out the Indians 4-3 on Monday but then fell in a 2-0 shutout in the Tuesday game two. After a big 8-0 shutout win on Wednesday, in the Thursday finale the White Sox had a lead early but ended up losing 4-2. Starting pitcher Lance Lynn went 6.0 innings with two earned on five hits.
For the Friday game one, Chicago will send out Dylan Cease in the starter role. Over two appearances so far, Cease has a 3.86 ERA with nine hits, four earned, six walks and nine Ks in 9.1 total innings. He notched six Ks in 4.2 innings during his last outing.
Over on the Boston side, they did well against the Twins this week, notching victories in the first three games 4-2, 3-2 and 7-1. In the Thursday finale, Boston tied the game up late but gave up the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Starter Garrett Richards posted 5.0 innings with no earned on four hits.
For the starting role on Friday, the Sox will go with Nick Pivetta on the mound. In 11.0 innings over two starts so far, Pivetta has a 3.27 ERA with nine hits, four earned, one homer, seven walks and 11 strikeouts.
The White Sox are 4-1 in their last five in game one of a series and 7-2 in their last nine Friday games. The under is 5-0 in Chicago’s last five in game one of a series and the over is 5-2 in their last seven Friday games.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox are 0-4 in their last four Friday games and 22-8 in their last 30 versus the AL Central. The over is 7-2 in Boston’s last nine Friday games and 20-6-2 in their last 28 home games.
PICK: I like Boston here. This should be a fun weekend “Laundry Series,” as both teams played pretty well this week. Pivetta had a great first start versus the Rays, but gave up four runs in 6.0 innings in his last game and has seven walks in 11.0 total innings. Cease has six walks and 182 pitches in his two games, so both teams should have a few chances to bag runs off the starters. Should be entertaining, but I like the Red Sox better.
