Boston Red Sox (21-15) vs. Atlanta Braves (24-11)
May 9, 2023 7:20 pm EDT
The Line: Atlanta Braves -161 / Boston Red Sox +130; Over/Under: +9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Boston Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves meet Tuesday in MLB action from Sun Trust Park. Boston played the Phillies over the weekend, winning two of the three games. As for the Braves, they took on the Orioles in their last series. Atlanta also won two of three in that set. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Boston Red Sox
Boston managed to beat the Phillies 5-3 on Friday and 7-4 in the Saturday game. The Sox failed on the sweep however, with a 6-1 loss in the finale. Starter Tanner Houck went 5.2 innings in that one, giving up three earned on five hits and a walk.
For the starter job in the Tuesday matchup the Red Sox will go with Nick Pivetta. In his six starts so far Pivetta is 2-2 with a 4.99 ERA and 34 Ks in 30.2 innings. Pivetta is 42-52 with a 5.02 career ERA in 164 games (142 starts).
Atlanta Braves
Over on the Braves’ side, they lost to the Orioles 9-4 Friday but bounced back for wins 5-4 and 3-2 (in 12 innings) in the last pair of games over the weekend. In the finale Atlanta’s Bryce Elder posted 5.1 innings with one earned on four hits and four walks.
Charlie Morton will take the mound for the Braves on Tuesday. Across six starts this year Morton is 3-3 with a 3.38 ERA and 32 Ks in 34.2 innings. Morton is 119-104 with a 4.02 ERA over 329 career games (328 starts).
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last nine overall and 6-1 in the last seven after a loss. Boston is 6-2 in their last eight Tuesday games.
Meanwhile, the Braves are 5-1 in their last six versus the AL East and 38-14 in their last 52 Tuesday games. Atlanta is 52-21 in the last 73 at home.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably take a stab on the Braves here. Morton was a little sketchy in his last outing against the Mets with 5.1 innings, four earned, six hits and three walks in a loss. That said, Morton had just two earned in 13.0 previous innings over two starts. As for Pivetta, he’s got 10 earned in his last three starts over 16.2 innings on 17 hits and four walks. This should be a pretty fun starting pitcher matchup, and I like the Braves to eke out a home win in the opener.
