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White Sox vs Red Sox Odds and Picks – April 16

Bryan Thiel

by Bryan Thiel in MLB Baseball

Apr 16, 2021 · 6:05 AM PDT

Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox, Celebrate
Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers, center, celebrates his three-run home run with Alex Verdugo, left, and J.D. Martinez after he drove them home on a pitch by Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mac Sceroler during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 11, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
  • With their nine-game win streak snapped, the Red Sox host the White Sox on Friday, April 16 at 7:10 pm EST
  • Chicago potentially sends Dylan Cease (0-0, 3.86 ERA) to the hill; Boston counters with Nick Pivetta (2-0, 3.27 ERA)
  • See below for the odds and picks

Simply put, the Boston Red Sox are exceeding expectations.

While few questioned an offense featuring Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers, the pitching was cause for concern. But before Thursday’s loss to the Twins, Boston had rattled off nine-straight wins, allowing three or fewer runs six times.

Meanwhile the White Sox are still trying to generate momentum. Results have been mixed as they try to climb the AL Central standings.

With big bats going head-to-head, these two kick-off a four-game set from Fenway Park on Friday night at 7:10pm.

White Sox vs Red Sox Odds

Team Runline Moneyline at DraftKings Total
Chicago White Sox N/A -106 N/A
Boston Red Sox N/A -110 N/A

Odds as of April 15th

There are a number of factors impact the White Sox vs Red Sox odds ahead of Friday night. One is the weather, as it’s supposed to rain all day and into the night in Boston. Odds-wise, Chicago hasn’t played in a game that’s seen more than 8.5 runs since their series against Seattle.

For Boston, after seven-straight totals finished at 10 runs or better, they’ve combined for eight or fewer runs in four-straight.

A Wild Ride for Cease

On Wednesday, the White Sox placed prospective starter Dylan Cease on the Injured List based on potential close contact with a Covid case. Cease tested negative, and traveled with the team, however.

Now available but not guaranteed to start Friday, Cease’s 2021 starts have lacked one thing: depth.

The third-year starter has gone 4.2 innings in both turns. His swing-and miss stuff was working last time out with six strikeouts, but walks have been an issue. He’s issued six free passes in 9.1 innings this year.

Dealing With JD, Devers and Bogaerts

Cease has faced just two members of the Red Sox: Franchy Cordero and Marwin Gonzalez. They have one hit in six at-bats.

In his Fenway debut however, Cease will have to successfully navigate the heart of Boston’s order.

Devers, Bogaerts: 2021 Season

Devers
VS
Bogaerts
.279 AVG .372
5 HR 0
13 RBI 2
8 Runs 6
.367 OBP .426
.651 SLG .465

While the power hasn’t arrived for Bogaerts, he’s been an on-base machine. Including Thursday’s loss, he’s reached base at least twice in seven of his last nine games. He’s also producing line drives at a career clip, which explains the power dip. Plus the fact that JD Martinez is off to a blistering start power-wise helps off-set the slow start.

Devers is hitting the ball harder than ever, and had an extra-base hit in five of six games entering Thursday. He went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the series finale.

Pivetta Hopes to Continue Rolling

Nick Pivetta struggled to find his footing in the Majors over three and a half seasons with the Phillies. But since coming to the Red Sox his numbers have been stellar.

In four starts with Boston, Pivetta is 4-0 with a 2.57 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 21 innings. He had a 5.50 ERA in nearly 400 innings with Philadelphia.

White Sox Career Stats vs Nick Pivetta

Player AB H HR RBI K AVG
Jose Abreu 1 0 0 0 0 .000
Tim Anderson 2 0 0 0 1 .000
Adam Eaton 11 5 0 0 1 .455
Austin Hedges 5 1 0 0 0 .200
Leury Garcia 2 0 0 0 1 .000
Yasmani Grandal 2 1 0 0 0 .500
Jake Lamb 2 1 0 0 1 .500

There isn’t a ton of experience against Pivetta in Chicago’s lineup. But the man with the most at-bats against him, Adam Eaton, is also one of the Sox hottest hitters. Eaton was 6-for-18 with a pair of homers and seven RBI in his last six games before a 1-for-4 showing on Thursday.

Two of Chicago’s rising stars could shine too. Yermin Mercedes has been a near impossible out in his rookie year, hitting .476 with three home runs and 10 RBI, all three of which have come against right handers.

Then there’s Luis Robert, who followed up a 1-for-8 start to their series with Cleveland with back-to-back two-hit performances. Like Bogaerts, the power hasn’t shown up just yet, but he’s still hitting it hard and in the air, so the numbers should catch up.

Wet and Wild at Fenway

There’s a possibility this game will have to be made up as part of a double header with two inches of rain expected throughout the day. The forecast looks to lighten a bit in the afternoon however.

The more enticing bet between these two would be the total. If it comes in at 8.5 or lower, the over is a strong play with these two offenses in a sloppy game.

Going outright however, side with the Red Sox. Neither pitcher will have an easy time, but their lineup has brought more consistency to the plate in 2021.

The Pick: Red Sox (-110)

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