Boston Red Sox at Oakland Athletics 4/2/19: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds
Contents
Matchup Preview
This will be the second game of a four-game series between these two ball clubs.
Both the Red Sox and A’s had really good seasons last year. However, neither team has had very impressive starts to the new season. The A’s started their season in Japan against the Mariners, dropping both games of the season. Their pitching struggled and the run support was not enough to overcome the strong Seattle offense. However, they’ve bounced back since winning 4 of their last 5.
The Red Sox on the other hand have looked nothing like their 2018 form. The offense has been productive, but the starting pitching has manager Alex Cora worried. None of the team’s first four starters (Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Rick Porcello) turned in good outings as the Red Sox. Price’s outing last night wasn’t great but was far from as bad as the others.
TV: Boston Red Sox vs Oakland Athletics, 10:07 PM ET, Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California, TV: NBCSCA, NESN
Radio: KTRB 860, WEEI 93.7, WCCM 1490 AM/103.7 FM
Red Sox Starting Lineup
- Mookie Betts
- Andrew Benintendi
- Rafael Devers
- J.D. Martinez
- Xander Bogaerts
- Mitch Moreland
- Eduardo Nunez
- Jackie Bradley Jr.
- Christian Vazquez
Red Sox Analysis
For a world series caliber team, the Red Sox first 5 games of 2019 have been worrisome. They currently stand at 1 – 4, and easily could have been 0 – 5 if Mitch Moreland hadn’t hit a go ahead home run in the top of the 9th.
The majority of the Red Sox woes have come from the starting pitching (the teams supposed forte). Sale gave up 7 earned runs on opening day, and Eovalid and Rodriguez didn’t do any better the following two days. Porcello then gave up 9 in the series final against the Mariners.
The offense, aside from last night in the Sox-A’s opener, hasn’t been all too bad. JD Martinez looks like he’s still in his all-star form and Rafael Devers has shown some promising signs batting out of the 3-spot. Xander Bogaerts and Mitch Moreland have also been hitting well.
If the Red Sox are to win this series, Chris Sale will need to redeem himself Tuesday night and hit his spots much better than his last outing. The bullpen at this point has showed much more promise than starting pitching and the rotation needs to turn things around.
However, it is still far too early to tell if the Sox first 5 games will be an accurate representation of their season.
Red Sox Quick Links: Red Sox Starting Lineup, Red Sox Roster, Red Sox Injuries, Red Sox News, Red Sox Schedule
Athletics Starting Lineup
- Marcus Semien
- Matt Chapman
- Stephen Piscotty
- Khris Davis
- Mark Canha
- Chad Pinder
- Jurickson Profar
- Ramon Laureano
- Nick Hundley
Athletics Analysis
After starting the season 1 – 3, the A’s have won their last 3 games. The pitching shut down the Angels on both of the weekend games, and then shut down the Red Sox last night.
On top of that, the teams hitting has been going off. Khris Davis hit his league leading 5th home run last night, but he wasn’t the only one. Laureano, Pinder, and Chapman also all added homers in the 7 – 0 win.
Mike Fiers will be on the bump tonight facing off against Sale. His first outing wasn’t too good, but he showed his dominance against the Angels, giving up just one hit over six shutout innings. Plus, he’s 2 – 0 with an ERA under 2.00 against the Sox in his career.
Fiers looks to turn in another solid performance and once again silence the struggling BoSox.
Athletics Quick Links: Red Sox Starting Lineup, Red Sox Roster, Red Sox Injuries, Red Sox News, Red Sox Schedule
Red Sox vs Athletics Betting Odds
In terms of betting odds, and despite his bad first start, you generally can’t bet against Sale. Oakland has of recent years struggled against lefties and Sale is arguably the best southpaw in the game. Moneyline consensus currently has the Red Sox at -180 and the A’s at +150. The over under is currently set at 9.83 with the Sox scoring 6 and the A’s scoring 3.83.
Odds & Line Movement Links
MLB Live Vegas Odds (All Games)
Bet on Matchup
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