Boston Red Sox (19-14) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (15-17)
May 6, 2023 7:15 pm EDT
The Line: Philadelphia Phillies -145 / Boston Red Sox +125 ; Over/Under: 9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies meet Saturday in MLB action from Citizens Bank Park. This will be the second installment in a three-game weekend set. In the series opener on Friday, the Red Sox notched a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox took on the Blue Jays this week, pulling off an impressive four-game sweep in that series. On Friday versus Philly, Boston got off to a 3-0 start early and finished with a 5-3 victory. Chris Sale put up 6.0 innings in the start with three earned, seven hits, one walk and 10 Ks.
For the starter gig in the Saturday game two, the Sox will send out Corey Kluber. In his six starts so far Kluber is 1-4 with a 6.44 ERA and 27 Ks in 29.1 innings. Kluber is 114-75 with a 3.37 ERA in 262 career games (257 starts).
Philadelphia Phillies
Over on the Phillies’ side, they played the Dodgers in their last series, falling in a three-game sweep. On Friday Philadelphia scored all three of their runs in the fourth inning. Starter Zack Wheeler lasted 5.1 innings with four earned on seven hits.
It’ll be Bailey Falter for the start on Saturday for the Phillies. This year over six starts Falter is 0-5 with a 5.01 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 32.1 innings. Falter is 8-10 with a 4.50 ERA in 48 career games (23 starts).
The Red Sox are 4-1 in their last five Saturday games and 48-16 in their last 64 interleague road games. Boston is 25-10 in their last 35 on grass.
Meanwhile, the Phillies are 4-1 in their last five in game two of a series and 36-16 in their last 52 at home. Philadelphia is 4-10 in their last 14 versus the AL East.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ve got to stay with the Sox here. Boston should get a decent outing from Kluber here. He had a rough start versus Minnesota back on April 19 (5.0 innings; seven earned) but in his two starts since Kluber is 1-0 with four earned in 11.1 innings. As for Falter, he’s still looking for his first victory of the year but he hasn’t pitched terribly over his last few outings. In the Friday opener, Boston got off to a good start and really only had the one bad inning. The bullpen was great with 3.0 innings, one hit, one walk, three Ks and no earned among them. I like Boston to keep it going in game two.
