The Boston Red Sox (21-15) take one of the highest-scoring offenses in the AL on the road to face the Atlanta Braves (24-11), one of the best lineups in the NL, for the first of a two-game Interleague series.
The Red Sox won two out of three in their last series against the Phillies, dropping the finale 6-1 on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. Triston Casas was 1 for 2 with a solo home run, extending his on-base streak to 18 games.
The Braves won two of three against the Orioles in their last series, taking the finale 3-2 on Sunday at Truist Park. Matt Olson’s on-base streak is up to 16 as he went 1 for 4 with a solo home run.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Braves won three of the four games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent meeting, a two-game set at Fenway Park in August.
ON THE MOUND
Nick Pivetta (2-2, 4.99 ERA) is in line to get the start for Boston. The righty allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, an 8-3 road win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday. He was credited with the win, scattering five hits while striking out six and walking one.
Pivetta made one start against the Braves in 2022, an 8-4 home loss on August 10. He surrendered three runs on five hits over six innings, striking out five and walking two.
Right-hander Charlie Morton (3-3, 3.38 ERA) gets the start for Atlanta. Morton made one start against the Red Sox in 2022, throwing six innings in a 9-7 road win on August 9.
He gave up six hits and walked one, while striking out seven in the no-decision. In his last start on May 1, Morton took the loss on the road against the Mets. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out six and walking three in the 5-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Boston offense is averaging 5.8 runs per game for the season, third best in MLB, with a slash line of .271/.341/.452. Masataka Yoshida leads the team in OPS at .939. The center fielder is slashing .321/.403/.536 with six home runs, 24 RBIs, and 22 runs over 29 games.
Against righties like Morton this season, the Sox have an .815 OPS, second highest in MLB. Yoshida also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .969 OPS in 81 at-bats. Atlanta is slashing .260/.340/.464 for the season and averaging 5.4 runs per game, second best in the NL.
Four Braves hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Sean Murphy (1.048). The first baseman has nine home runs, 28 RBIs, and 21 runs scored with a slash line of .282/.426/.621. Atlanta is averaging 6.4 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.292/.348/.541).
The Braves have a .747 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.012 OPS over 96 at-bats, Ronald Acuna Jr. has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 8-8 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.3 runs per game while allowing 4.9 runs. Atlanta has gone 9-8 at home this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. Boston is 8-2 in the last 10 games at Truist Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 7.8-4.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by seven games over the Marlins. The Red Sox are fourth in the AL East, seven games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
