While Boston was expected to be solid this season, the Red Sox have far surpassed expectations in manager Alex Cora’s first season. Boston has been in first place in the AL East virtually all season long while owning the best record in all of baseball for the vast majority of the 2018 campaign, which is why they have been dominating the MLB Odds week in and week out.
In the case of the Seattle Mariners, their rise to prominence has been even more stunning. Playing in the same division as the defending World Series champion Houston Astros and taking a backseat in the national publicity department to Los Angeles Angels superstar two-way phenom Shoehei Ohtani, the M’s were hoping to be decent this season at the very least. Like their counterparts in Beantown however, the M’s have far surpassed expectations as they’ve also been in first place in the AL West for the vast majority of the young season.
Now, the red-hot Boston Red Sox and streaking Mariners will square off on Thursday in a matchup of two of the best teams in all of baseball this season. If you’re looking to find out which team is offering the best value against their MLB Betting odds in the opener of their four-game series, then let’s get to my expert pick on Thursday night’s matchup at Safeco Field.
There is a bit of bad news in the fact that staff ace Felix Hernandez is struggling this season with a modest 6-5 record and high, 5.70 ERA. He also enters this contest coming off his shortest start of the year after getting smacked around for six runs (five earned) on seven hits in just three innings of a 7-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday. Hernandez is 8-4 with a 4.01 ERA and 114 strikeouts in his career against the Red Sox.
Boston (47-22) at Seattle (44-24) MLB Odds & Expert Prediction
- When: Thursday, June 14, 2018, 10:10 PM ET
- Where: Safeco Field, Seattle, WA
- TV: NESN, RTNW
- Radio: TuneIn
- MLB Odds: Seattle Mariners +115 / Boston Red Sox -135 (Over/Under at 8)
Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)
- Runs: Boston Red Sox 2.80 / Seattle Mariners 2.60
- Hits: Boston Red Sox 7.50 / Seattle Mariners 7.00
- Walks: Boston Red Sox 2.40 / Seattle Mariners 3.00
- Strike Outs: Boston Red Sox 6.90 / Seattle Mariners 9.70
Starting Pitchers
- Boston Red Sox: David Price – L – (7-4, 4.00 ERA)
- Seattle Mariners: Felix Hernandez – R – (6-5, 5.70 ERA)
Why Bet on The Boston Red Sox?
Why should you consider betting on Boston on Thursday night? There are a variety of reasons. First, the BoSox are pretty hot, having won three straight, four of five and seven of their last 10 games overall. Boston has also won their last four road games while going an encouraging 24-11 on the road this season overall. The Red Sox also have a prolific offense that ranks second in scoring (5.13 RPG) and an equally impressive pitching staff that has compiled the fifth-best team ERA (3.42) in all of baseball this season. Last but not least, Boston has been on fire with left-hander David Price on the mound. Price has gone a stellar 5-0 with a 2.89 ERA over his last six starts. Opposing teams are hitting just .228 against him this season and the southpaw is 3-1 with a 2.62 ERA and 55 strikeouts in his career against the Mariners.Why Bet on The Seattle Mariners?
Why should you consider betting on Seattle in this series opener? There are a handful of great reasons. First, Seattle is even hotter than Boston right now, having won four straight, six of seven and eight of their last 10 games overall. The M’s have also been rock-solid in going 23-12 at home this season. Another great reason is that Seattle has been fantastic offensively as they rank fifth in team batting average (.261), seventh in OPS and eighth in home runs (85). The Mariners have scored at least five runs in each of their last four games while putting eight on the board against the Angles in their home win on Wednesday night.
There is a bit of bad news in the fact that staff ace Felix Hernandez is struggling this season with a modest 6-5 record and high, 5.70 ERA. He also enters this contest coming off his shortest start of the year after getting smacked around for six runs (five earned) on seven hits in just three innings of a 7-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday. Hernandez is 8-4 with a 4.01 ERA and 114 strikeouts in his career against the Red Sox.
Latest MLB Betting Trends for June 14th
- Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Boston’s last 9 games
- Seattle is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
- Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 5 games
