Boston Red Sox (72-56) vs. Cleveland Indians (62-62)
August 27, 2021 7:10 pm EDT
The Line: Cleveland Indians +145 / Boston Red Sox -200; Over/Under: -9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians meet Friday in MLB action from Progressive Field. Boston is coming off a series versus the Twins this week. The Sox split the first two games in that set, then on Thursday Boston notched a 10-run blowout win. As for Cleveland, they played the Rangers in their last set. The Indians also split their first pair, then in the Thursday rubber match Cleveland bagged a four-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Boston managed a wild 11-9 victory over the Twins in the Tuesday opener, but then fell 9-6 on Wednesday. In the Thursday game, the Sox had five runs in the sixth on the way to a 12-2 victory. Starter Chris Sale lasted 5.1 innings with two earned on two hits and two walks.
For the starter gig in the Friday game, the Red Sox will send out Eduardo Rodriguez. Over 119.2 innings this year Rodriguez has 130 hits with 72 runs (69 earned), 15 homers allowed, 37 walks, 148 Ks and a 5.19 ERA.
Over on the Indians’ side, they fell 7-3 on Tuesday to the Rangers, then bounced back with a 7-2 win Wednesday. In the Thursday game, the Indians had 15 hits in a big 10-6 victory. Sam Hentges lasted 4.0 frames with two earned, five hits and two walks.
For the Friday start, the Indians will send out left-hander Logan Allen. This year Allen is 1-5 with a 9.13 ERA and 15 strikeouts total.
The Red Sox are 15-3 in their last 18 Friday games and 13-5 in their last 18 in game one of a series. The under is 8-3 in Boston’s last 11 road games and 12-5 in the last 17 Friday games.
Meanwhile, the Indians are 5-11 in their last 16 Friday games and 4-10 in their last 14 at home versus a team with a winning record. The over is 5-1 in Cleveland’s last 16 Friday games and the under is 4-1-1 in their last six versus the AL East.
PICK: I’m sticking with the Red Sox. Rodriguez is going to need a good bounce-back start here, though. In his last appearance, Rodriguez put up five earned on eight hits and a walk in 3.2 innings versus the Rangers. The good news is that he had just two earned in a 16.1-inning span over three starts before that. I like Rodriguez to post a quality outing in this one and help Boston bag a victory.
