Hot-hitting Luis Arraez will be looking to extend his 11-game hitting streak as the Miami Marlins (47-34) face off against the Boston Red Sox (40-41) at Fenway Park on Thursday with the visitors in position for a sweep of the three-game Interleague series.
The Marlins lead the series 2-0 after winning 6-2 on Wednesday. Starter Braxton Garrett got the win, giving up one run on three hits over five innings, and A.J. Puk pitched 0.2 scoreless innings to pick up his 12th save.
Garrett Cooper was 1 for 3 with a home run and two runs in the win. Rafael Devers’ on-base streak is now at 13 as he went 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs for the Red Sox. Jarren Duran added one RBI on two hits.
ON THE MOUND
Jesus Luzardo (6-5, 3.77 ERA) is in line for the start for Miami. The LHP threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 3-1 road defeat against the Pirates on Friday. He yielded two hits while striking out nine and walking one in the no-decision.
For Boston, RHP Brayan Bello (5-4, 3.27 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Marlins. In his last start on Friday, Bello got the win on the road against the White Sox. He threw 6.2 innings and gave up one run on six hits, striking out five and walking one in the 3-1 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Miami has averaged 4.6 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.1. Against right-handed pitchers like Bello this season, the Fish have a .703 OPS.
Arraez is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .965 OPS in 224 at-bats. Boston is averaging only 2.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.9 for the season, with their slash line dropping across the board (.210/.254/.299).
The Sox have a .765 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .568 slugging percentage over 64 at-bats, Justin Turner has been their best power hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Miami is on a six-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 22-18 in 2023. The Fish have scored 4.3 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.3 runs.
Boston has gone 21-20 at Fenway Park this season, averaging 5.7 runs per game while surrendering 5.3. Boston is 8-2 in the last 10 games at Fenway Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.4-4.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Marlins are second in the NL East, six games behind the division-leading Braves. The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 14 games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Boston Red Sox (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
