Previewing Friday’s Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox matchup, with MLB betting predictions, picks and best bets.
The Baltimore Orioles travel to meet the division rival Boston Red Sox Friday at Fenway Park for a 7:30 p.m. ET first pitch. We analyze the Orioles-Red Sox MLB betting odds and lines, with betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Orioles at Red Sox: Projected starting pitchers
LHP Tommy Milone vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi
The journeyman southpaw Milone posted a dismal 4-10 record with a 4.76 ERA and 94 strikeouts last season for the Seattle Mariners.
- Milone hasn’t faced the Red Sox since 2016. That might be a good thing, as he was hammered for eight runs – four earned – on 10 hits in just 4 2/3 innings in a loss at Fenway Park as a member of the Minnesota Twins July 24, 2016.
- The southpaw was actually better on the road than at home last season. Away from Seattle, he was 3-4 with a respectable 3.91 ERA across 50 2/3 innings over two starts and nine relief appearances. However, he was 1-6 with a 5.56 ERA at home.
Eovaldi struggled with a 2-1 record, 5.99 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 70 strikeouts and 35 walks across 12 starts and 11 relief appearances in ’19.
- Eovaldi was tagged for eight earned runs on six hits and seven walks with just four strikeouts in seven innings across two starts vs. Baltimore last year, going 0-1 with a 10.29 ERA.
- He also didn’t fare well at Fenway Park last season, going 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA, 29 K’s and 22 walks across 30 innings over five starts and seven relief showings.
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Orioles at Red Sox: Key injuries
(List of injuries around the league)
Orioles
- OF Trey Mancini had a malignant tumor removed from his colon, and is expected to miss the 60-game season. He starts out on the 45-day injured list.
- OF Dwight Smith Jr. is on the 10-day injured list, as he recovers from COVID-19.
Red Sox
- 2B Dustin Pedroia is on the 45-day injured list, as he had a setback during his left knee injury rehab.
- Eovaldi gets the start thanks in large part to LHP Chris Sale (elbow) being out for the season.
Orioles at Red Sox: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Red Sox 6, Orioles 4
The Orioles (+180) might be a tempting play on the road, but AVOID. The Red Sox (-209) are heavily favored for a reason, even if they’re expected to be a mediocre team overall. Boston is 14-6 in their past 20 at home vs. Baltimore, and 35-16 in the previous 51 meetings overall.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Red Sox (-209) to win straight up nets a return of just $4.78.
The RED SOX (-1.5, -115) are a better play, albeit make it just a small-unit wager. Boston is not expected to be a championship-caliber team, but Baltimore is likely to be terrible again. The BoSox might get off to a fast start against their overwhelmed rivals.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 9.5 (-110) is worth playing, but don’t get carried away with a big bet. The starting pitchers are pretty horrendous in this one, and we could see both sides go to the bullpen early. As such, the offenses for both sides could get off to a bit of a quick start.
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