Boston Red Sox (51-32) +110, o/u 10 at Chicago White Sox (56-29), 8:30 p.m. Eastern Friday, ESPN
by Ultimatecapper.com Staff
The Boston Red Sox travel to Second City to take on the Chicago White Sox for a three-game series beginning Friday night, the first encounter between these two teams since they met in the American League playoffs last year.
Boston has won 15 of its last 19 games but just dropped three of four to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Red Sox still lead the AL East, three games up on the second-place New York Yankees.
Chicago just took three of four games from the Baltimore Orioles and have won 16 of their last 20. But the White Sox still trail the Detroit Tigers by a game in the AL Central.
Chicago swept Boston in the AL divisional playoffs last year on their way to that World Series title. But the Red Sox took the regular season series with the White Sox last year four games to three.
Boston is 24-22 on the road this season, 7-10 as underdogs.
Chicago is a very solid 32-12 at home this year, 48-26 as favorites.
Boston rookie left-hander Jon Lester (3-0, 3.08) will go to the mound for the series opener Friday night. Lester, who has made five career starts, has allowed 5 ER and 24 H+W in his last 16 IP. The Red Sox are 4-1 in Lester’s starts this year, the over/under 3-2. Lester has never started a game vs. the White Sox.
ChiSox lefty Mark Buehrle (9-5, 3.86) has been bounced around a bit lately, allowing 16 ER and 31 H+W in his last 19 IP. But Chicago is a sound 12-5 in Buehrle’s starts this year, the o/u 6-10.
In three starts vs. Boston last year (one in the playoffs), Buehrle allowed 13 ER and 36 H+W in 20 IP.
In Saturday’s game, Josh Beckett (10-4, 4.59) goes for the Red Sox against Freddy Garcia (10-5, 4.72) for the White Sox. And on Sunday, Curt Schilling (10-3, 3.63) goes for Boston, while Chicago will counter with Jose Contreras (9-0, 3.31).
The Red Sox lead the AL with their .367 team OBP this year, and are averaging 5.6 runs per game. But that average dips to 4.5 RPG vs. LH pitching.
The White Sox own a .355 team OBP, 4th-best in the league, and are averaging 6.0 RPG. But that average dips to 5.4 RPG vs. LH pitching.
The Boston bullpen has allowed 5 ER and 16 H+W in its’ last 14 IP.
The Chicago bullpen has given up 10 ER and 21 H+W in its’ last 13 2/3 innings of work.
White Sox 2B Tad Iguchi is listed as doubtful for Friday’s game with an ankle injury.
The o/u is 45-37 in Red Sox games this year, 44-37 in White Sox games, and 24-18 at U.S. Cellular Field.
Football is coming!
The Ultimatecapper Pick: Great pitching match up tonight! We like the under.
