Free MLB Picks Today: Boston Red Sox vs Cleveland Guardians 4/28/23

The Boston Red Sox (13-13), one of the top offenses in baseball, are set to host the Cleveland Guardians (12-13) at Fenway Park on Friday for the first of a three-game series.

The Guardians are playing their first of six games on the road after wrapping up a difficult six-game homestand (2-4). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Rockies, taking the finale 4-1 on Wednesday at Progressive Field.

Jose Ramirez was 2 for 2 with a double and one run, walking twice. Josh Naylor added a home run and two RBIs. The Red Sox are playing the first of seven games at home after finishing up a six-game road trip (3-3).

They lost two of three against the Orioles in their last series, dropping the finale 6-2 on Wednesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Masataka Yoshida went 1 for 4 with a solo home run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season.

Last season, the Red Sox won five of the seven games between the teams, although they split their most recent four-game series at Fenway Park in July.

ON THE MOUND

Shane Bieber (1-1, 3.23 ERA) is in line for the start for Cleveland. The RHP allowed three runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 6-1 road defeat against the Marlins on Saturday. He was charged with the loss, giving up four hits while striking out four and walking four.

Bieber made one start against the Red Sox in 2022, a 4-2 home loss on June 25. He surrendered three runs on six hits over seven innings, striking out four and walking two.

RHP Nick Pivetta (1-1, 4.58 ERA) gets the ball for Boston. Pivetta made two appearances against the Guardians in 2022, both as the starter, striking out 10 and walking three over 12.2 innings (1-0, 2.13).

In his last start on April 21, Pivetta got the win on the road against the Brewers. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out seven and walking one in the 5-3 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The Cleveland offense is averaging 3.8 runs per game for the season, third lowest in the American League, with a slash line of .231/.313/.348. Ramirez leads the team in OPS at .836. The shortstop is slashing .271/.357/.479 with three home runs, 16 RBIs, and 12 runs over 25 games.

Against righties like Pivetta this season, the Guardians have a .659 OPS. Ramirez also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .993 OPS in 61 at-bats.

Boston is slashing .252/.329/.429 for the season and averaging 5.6 runs per game, fourth best in MLB. Rafael Devers leads the team with ann .856 OPS.

The shortstop has nine home runs, 24 RBIs, and 18 runs scored with a slash line of .238/.282/.574. The Sox have a .766 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .956 OPS over 67 at-bats, Alex Verdugo has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Cleveland is 8-5 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 4.0 runs. Boston has gone 7-6 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 5.8 runs per game while surrendering 5.6.

In the last 10 meetings at Fenway Park, each club has won five, though Cleveland has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.3-5.9.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Guardians are second in the AL Central, two games behind the division-leading Twins. The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, seven games behind the Rays.