Free MLB Picks Today: Milwaukee Brewers vs Boston Red Sox 4/21/23

The Boston Red Sox (10-10) take one of the highest-scoring offenses in MLB on the road to face the Milwaukee Brewers (14-5) at American Family Field on Friday to open a three-game Interleague series. The Red Sox are embarking on a six-game road trip after wrapping up a productive seven-game homestand (5-2).

They won two out of three in their last series against the Twins, taking the finale 11-5 on Thursday at Fenway Park. Alex Verdugo was 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs. The Brewers are playing the first of nine games at home after returning from a successful 10-game road trip (7-3).

They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Mariners, taking the finale 5-3 on Wednesday at T-Mobile Park for their fourth straight win. Rowdy Tellez went 1 for 1 with two RBIs.The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Brewers won two of the three games between the teams.

ON THE MOUND

Nick Pivetta (0-1, 4.50 ERA) is set to start for Boston. The right-hander allowed six runs over four innings in his last start, a 9-7 road win over the Angels on Saturday. He gave up five hits while striking out four and walking three in the no-decision.

Pivetta made one start against the Brewers in 2022, a 9-4 home loss on July 30. He surrendered four runs on nine hits over five innings, striking out four and walking two.

Right-hander Freddy Peralta (2-1, 3.18 ERA) gets the start for Milwaukee. In his last start on Saturday, Peralta took the loss on the road against the Padres. He threw five innings and gave up five runs on nine hits, striking out five and walking one in the 10-3 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Boston offense is averaging 5.6 runs per game for the season, fourth best in the league, with a slash line of .240/.322/.408. Rafael Devers leads the team in OPS at .938. The shortstop is slashing .270/.316/.622 with seven home runs, 18 RBIs, and 15 runs over 19 games.

Against right-handed pitchers like Peralta this season, the Sox have a .714 OPS. Verdugo is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .937 OPS in 42 at-bats.

Milwaukee is slashing .257/.336/.404 for the season and averaging 5.0 runs per game. Tellez leads the team with ann .837 OPS. The second baseman has five home runs, 14 RBIs, and 10 runs scored with a slash line of .237/.329/.508. The Brew Crew have a .776 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .942 OPS over 52 at-bats, Tellez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Boston is on a four-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 3-4 in 2023. The Sox have scored 5.1 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.0 runs.

Milwaukee has gone 5-1 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 6.0 runs per game while surrendering 2.2. The teams have split their last six meetings head-to-head at American Family Field, though Milwaukee has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.5-6.3.