The Boston Red Sox (59-59) take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (45-72) Thursday in the finale of a 3-game set at PNC Park. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Red Sox vs. Pirates odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Red Sox lead 2-0
The Red Sox took the first 2 games of this series by scores of 5-3 Tuesday and 8-3 Wednesday. RHP Nathan Eovaldi was scratched from Thursday’s start due to neck and shoulder soreness. RHP Josh Winckowski will step in on 7 days’ rest. The Red Sox have won 3 games in a row and 5 of 6. They are 30-29 on the road, which is 1 game better than they are at home.
The Pirates have lost 6 outings in a row and 8 of 9. They are scoring runs, but their pitching hasn’t been good. The Bucs have scored 3 runs or more in 8 of their last 10 games.
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Red Sox at Pirates projected starters
RHP Josh Winckowski vs. RHP JT Brubaker
Winckowski (5-5, 4.69 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.49 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 5.5 K/9 in 55 2/3 IP.
- Allowed 3 ER on 6 H and 2 BB with 2 K in 5 2/3 IP last Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles in his last start.
- Road warrior: 2.82 ERA , 1.21 WHIP and 7.7 K/9 on the road vs. 5.94 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 4.1 K/9 at home.
Brubaker (2-10, 4.45 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.50 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 113 1/3 IP.
- Allowed 2 ER on 3 H and 2 BB with 6 K in 5 IP last Thursday at the Arizona Diamondbacks in his last start.
- Struggles at home with a 5.44 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 7.4 K/9 vs. 3.88 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 10.4 K/9 on the road.
Red Sox at Pirates odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:39 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Red Sox -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Pirates +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Red Sox -1.5 (+105) | Pirates +1.5 (-130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -120)
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Red Sox at Pirates picks and predictions
Prediction
Red Sox 7, Pirates 3
Money line
The Red Sox are reasonably priced to complete the sweep today. Boston’s starter is better on the road and Pittsburgh’s is bad at home. Take the RED SOX (-155), and I’ll also take RED SOX OVER 2.5 RUNS FIRST 5 INNINGS (+102).
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Run line/Against the spread
Boston has won the last 3 games by 2 or more runs. We have two solid wagers above, so go easy here, but take the RED SOX -1.5 (+105).
Over/Under
As mentioned, the Pirates have scored 3 runs in 8 of their 10 games and lost 8 of them. The wind is blowing out to left-center field at 6 mph. This one is going OVER 8.5 (-105).
There is a special boosted prop for these teams to score 11+ runs at +220. I’m pegging this game to have 10, but that could certainly happen if you want to place a small-unit wager on it as well.
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