The Boston Red Sox (45-43), one of the highest-scoring lineups in the American League, is set to host the Oakland Athletics (25-64) at Fenway Park on Friday for the first of a three-game series.
The Athletics are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Tigers, dropping the finale 9-0 on Thursday at Comerica Park. Jordan Diaz was 2 for 3.
The Red Sox are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They won two of three against the Rangers in their last series, taking the finale 10-6 on Thursday at Fenway Park.
Connor Wong went 3 for 3 with a double and one RBI. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Red Sox won five of the six games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Fenway Park in June.
ON THE MOUND
Luis Medina (2-7, 6.37 ERA) is set for the start for Oakland. The righty allowed one run over five innings in his last start, a 7-4 road win over the White Sox on June 30. He got the win, yielding four hits while striking out four and walking five.
AT THE PLATE
The Oakland offense is averaging 3.6 runs per game for the season, the lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .220/.298/.350. Brent Rooker leads the team in OPS at .802. The left fielder is slashing .241/.336/.466 with 14 home runs, 42 RBIs, and 30 runs over 75 games.
Over the last five games, though, Oakland has averaged 5.4 runs a game partially thanks to improved slugging (.375). Boston is slashing .262/.331/.424 for the season and averaging 4.9 runs per game, third-best in the American League.
Four Red Sox hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Masataka Yoshida (.860). The left fielder has nine home runs, 42 RBIs, and 44 runs scored with a slash line of .312/.380/.479.
The Sox have a .755 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .889 OPS over 188 at-bats, Jarren Duran has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is 13-32 away from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in 2023, scoring 3.9 runs per game while allowing 6.5 runs. Boston has gone 23-22 at home this season, averaging 5.5 runs per game while surrendering 5.2. In the last 10 meetings at Fenway Park, Boston is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.7-2.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 26 games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 11 games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Boston Red Sox -1.5 (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
