In this article, we will formulate a Guardians vs Red Sox prediction for this MLB game on Friday, April 25, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Boston Red Sox Betting Preview
The Boston Red Sox (14-13, 6-7 Away) spent the previous two series at home and managed to beat the White Sox in three of four games, but lost two of three games to the Mariners. In last night’s 4-3 defeat to Seattle, Alex Bregman led the offense with two RBI, while Garrett Crochet took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits with nine strikeouts and five walks in 5.0 innings.
This year, the Red Sox average 4.59 runs per game (9th in the MLB) on a .244/.324/.397 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Red Sox’s staff has a 4.06 ERA (17th) and 1.32 WHIP (17th). Alex Bregman leads the Red Sox with a .320 batting average, five home runs, and 21 RBI this season.
Tanner Houck will take the mound for the Red Sox on Friday. The 28-year-old right-hander has a 0-2 record in five starts this year with a 7.66 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 24.2 innings.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
The Cleveland Guardians (14-10, 7-2 Home) were trying to record the sixth consecutive win for the first time this season and sweep the Yankees in the process, but lost Game 3 of the series against the Yanks. The Guardians did sweep the Pirates before that and had a 2-0 lead over the Yankees, but New York salvaged the series with a 5-1 win. Luis Ortiz took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and five walks in 4.1 innings.
This season, the Guardians average 4.00 runs per game (20th in the MLB) on a .235/.306/.386 slash line. Regarding pitching, the Guardians’ staff has a 3.94 ERA (15th) and 1.37 WHIP (24th). Kyle Manzardo leads the Guardians with a .219 batting average, seven home runs, and 18 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Guardians is Ben Lively, who is 1-2 in five starts this season, with a 3.86 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 25.2 innings.
Why the Guardians will beat the Red Sox
- The Red Sox have lost nine of their last 11 games as favorites against the Guardians following a loss.
- The Guardians have won three of their last four games as underdogs against American League opponents following a loss.
- The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as favorites against the Guardians following a home loss.
- The Guardians have covered the run line in four of their last five home games against the Red Sox.
- The Guardians have led after 3 innings in three of their last four games as underdogs.
Total Runs Facts
- Six of the Red Sox’s last seven night games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Three of the Guardians’ last four home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Red Sox’s last eight games as road favorites against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Guardians’ last 10 games as underdogs against American League opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Guardians rank 24th in the league for hits this season (183).
- The Guardians rank T8th in the league for runs allowed this season (101).
- The Red Sox rank 3rd in the league for hits this season (225).
- The Red Sox rank T28th in the league for hits allowed this season (232).
Guardians vs Red Sox Prediction
The Guardians won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters, including three of the last four. Although both Houck and Lively pitched well against the batter they are going to face today, I am giving a slight advantage to Lively, who has been in better form this year. Houck is inconsistent early in the year, and Cleveland has been good at home, so I a backing the Guardians to cause him problems in the opening few innings. Lively, on the other hand, shut the Pirates out in his recent start, and he should have a solid display here. I am backing the Guardians in this one.