The Boston Red Sox (25-20) are on the road to face the San Diego Padres (20-25) at Petco Park on Saturday. The Red Sox took Friday’s series opener 6-1.
Starter James Paxton got the win, giving up one run on five hits over six innings, and Josh Winckowski pitched three scoreless innings to earn his second save.
Rafael Devers was 2 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs in the win. Fernando Tatis Jr. went 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the Padres.
ON THE MOUND
Chris Sale (3-2, 5.40 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Boston. The left-hander allowed one run over eight innings in his last start, a 4-3 road defeat against the Cardinals on May 13.
He gave up three hits while striking out nine and walking one in the no-decision. For San Diego, righty Joe Musgrove (1-1, 6.63 ERA) will take the mound.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Red Sox. In his last start on May 13, Musgrove took the loss on the road against the Dodgers. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up four runs on eight hits, striking out five and walking four in the 4-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Boston has averaged 5.8 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 5.6. Against right-handed pitchers like Musgrove this season, the Sox have a .797 OPS, second highest in the league.
Alex Verdugo is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .953 OPS in 113 at-bats. San Diego is averaging only 2.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.8 for the season, with their slugging percentage slipping to .276 from .379.
The Padres have a .747 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .449 OBP over 38 at-bats, Manny Machado has their highest on-base percentage against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 10-9 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. San Diego has lost three in a row at home. The Padres are 11-14 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. Boston is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at Petco Park with an average scoreline of 4.3-2.2.
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.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
SD Padres (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
