Triston Casas will be looking to extend his 22-game on-base streak as the Boston Red Sox (22-18) host the St. Louis Cardinals (15-25) at Fenway Park on Sunday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game Interleague series.
The Cardinals lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-3 on Saturday. Reliever Andre Pallante was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning, and Giovanny Gallegos earned his third save with a scoreless ninth.
Nolan Gorman was 1 for 1 with a double, one run, and one RBI in the win. Rob Refsnyder went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs for the Red Sox. Pablo Reyes added a double and one run.
ON THE MOUND
Miles Mikolas (1-1, 5.40 ERA) is slated to start for St. Louis. The RHP allowed one run over 4.1 innings in his last start, a 3-1 road win over the Cubs on Monday. He gave up four hits while striking out seven and walking three in the no-decision.
For Boston, RHP Corey Kluber (2-4, 6.29 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cardinals. Kluber made one start against the Cardinals in 2022, throwing five innings for the Rays in an 11-3 home win on June 8. He gave up six hits and walked one, while striking out five in the win.
In his last start on May 6, Kluber got the win on the road against the Phillies. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out one, in the 7-4 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, St. Louis has averaged 5.0 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.5. Against right-handed pitchers like Kluber this season, the Cards have a .752 OPS. Gorman is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .948 OPS in 104 at-bats.
Boston is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five, down from 5.6 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.241/.301/.407).
The Sox have an .816 OPS against right-handers in 2023, second highest in MLB. With a .943 OPS over 101 at-bats, Alex Verdugo has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
St. Louis is 9-12 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Boston has gone 13-9 at home this season, averaging 6.0 runs per game while surrendering 5.3. In the last 10 meetings at Fenway Park, Boston is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.4-4.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cardinals are fifth in the NL Central, seven games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Red Sox are fourth in the AL East, seven games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Boston Red Sox (+100)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
