Boston is looking to avoid the sweep today as they get set for an afternoon game against the Oakland Athletics
Red Sox starter Aaron Cook is 1-0 in two career starts against Oakland
When Boston began its seven-game West Coast trip to face Seattle and Oakland the Red Sox were averaging 5.2 runs per game and looking for an opportunity to gain some ground in the tough American League East standings. So far, Boston has scored a total of just 12 runs in the first six games, going 2-4 as their road record slipped to 21-18.
Oakland took advantage of Daisuke Matsuzaka early Monday and came from behind Tuesday in the bottom of the ninth to A’s within one win of their second home sweep in three tries. Oakland also swept the Dodgers June 19-21 and has now won 10 of its last 13 games at the Coliseum.
Sports handicapping sites opened the baseball odds for this game with Boston as the favorite but a pitching change, and 67-percent action from the sports betting public prompted a move to Oakland -114. The Over/Under odds are 8 Over -110 and Boston’s road record is 17 overs and 22 unders while the A’s have played 16 home overs compared to 24 unders.
STARTING PITCHERS
Former Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook (2-1, 4.32 ERA) has been slotted to start today’s game for the Red Sox and Cook is coming off an impressive 5-0 complete game shutout at Seattle. Cook is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA in two career starts against Oakland and after getting roughed up his first outing since being recalled, Cook settled down with no walks and no home runs allowed his last two starts.
AJ Griffin (0-0, 1.50) makes his third career start and the rookie right-hander has thrown 12 scoreless innings since being called up, striking out eight and walking three. Griffin was 6-3 with a 2.66 ERA in the minors this season and was called up from Triple-A Sacramento.
MLB PICKS
Boston has outscored Oakland by more than a run per game in day starts this season and they will likely be aggressive against the rookie early on. The Sox are 12-5 as a small road favorite this season and I like them to bounce back from last night’s blown opportunity to end this trip on a high note.
Pick: Take the Red Sox
RUN THE BASES
49-percent: The odds, since 2007, that a home team will win one more time in a three-game series after winning Game 1
31-percent: The odds, since 2007, that a home team will sweep a series after winning Game 1
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