Free MLB Picks Today: San Diego Padres vs Boston Red Sox 5/21/23

The San Diego Padres (20-26) host the Boston Red Sox (26-20) at Petco Park on Sunday with the visitors looking for a sweep of the three-game Interleague series.

The Red Sox lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-2 on Saturday. Chris Sale went seven innings to get the win, giving up two runs on three hits and striking out eight, and Kenley Jansen picked up his 10th save with a scoreless ninth.

Enmanuel Valdez was 2 for 4 with a home run and a double in the win. He drove in three runs. Juan Soto went 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Padres.

ON THE MOUND

Corey Kluber (2-5, 6.41 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Boston. The righty allowed four runs over five innings in his last start, a 9-1 home defeat against the Cardinals on May 14. He took the loss, yielding seven hits while striking out five and walking three.

Righty Michael Wacha (4-1, 4.82 ERA) gets the start for San Diego. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Red Sox. In his last start on Monday, Wacha got the win at home against the Royals. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up one hit, striking out 11 and walking one in the 4-0 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Boston has averaged 6.4 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.6. Against righties like Wacha this season, the Sox have a .795 OPS, second highest in MLB.

Alex Verdugo is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .953 OPS in 113 at-bats. San Diego is averaging only 2.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.8 for the season, with their slugging percentage falling to .303 from .378.

The Padres have a .667 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.006 OPS over 106 at-bats, Soto has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Boston is on a three-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 11-9 in 2023. The Sox have scored 5.1 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.6 runs.

San Diego has lost four in a row at home. The Padres are 11-15 at home this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. Boston is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Petco Park with an average scoreline of 4.5-2.3.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Red Sox are fourth in the AL East, seven games behind the division-leading Rays. The Padres are fourth in the NL West, eight games behind the Dodgers.