The MLB betting board for Monday features the battle of the Sox as the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox face off in the first contest of a four-game set at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox have been one of baseball's biggest surprises this season and they'll hope to keep that momentum going in what should be a very competitive AL East.
Here are our best free MLB picks and predictions for the White Sox vs. Red Sox on Saturday, April 17, with the first pitch at 4:05 p.m. ET.
White Sox vs Red Sox odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare MLB odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
MLB sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonAfter going up at Boston -120, the moneyline at FanDuel has seen modest moves in both directions, dipping to -118, rising to -124 and returning to -118. As of 1:30 p.m. ET, the Red Sox are -122 on two-way action, with Boston netting 51 percent of tickets and 56 percent of cash. The total opened at 9 (Over -112), briefly touched 9.5 this morning and is now back at 9 (Over -112), with the Over netting 52 percent of tickets/61 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameWhite Sox vs Red Sox betting preview
Starting pitchers
Dylan Cease (0-0, 3.86 ERA): Cease has pitched exactly 4 2-3 innings in both of his starts, earning a no-decision in each contest. Despite not logging many innings, he has still thrown at least 90 pitches in each start and has struggled with his control, walking a total of six batters.
Last year, the 25-year-old went 5-4 with a 4.01 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 12 starts with the White Sox. Chicago placed Cease on the IL on Wednesday after showing signs of sickness but he is expected to be good to go tonight.
Nick Pivetta (2-0, 3.27 ERA): Pivetta is coming off a performance against the Orioles where he allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks through six innings of work.
He pitched five scoreless innings in his first start of the season against the Rays and is now 4-0 with the Red Sox since being acquired in a trade last August.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
White Sox: Adam Engel CF (Out), Jace Fry RP (Out), Eloy Jimenez OF (Out).
Red Sox: Ryan Brasier RP (Out).
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 20-6-2 in the Red Sox last 28 home games. Find more MLB betting trends for White Sox vs. Red Sox.
Moneyline pick
The White Sox come into this series fresh off a 4-2 defeat to Cleveland and have alternated wins and losses over their last eight contests. The White Sox entered the season with high expectations but have been inconsistent in the early going.
While the White Sox were one of the better hitting teams in the majors in 2020 and have generated 5.07 runs per game this season, they rank just 26th in the majors in slugging (.367).
When they win, it's been due to their strong starting pitching but tonight, they are expected to roll with Dylan Cease who has been one of their rotation's weaker links. The White Sox lost both of Cease's previous starts this year and while he escaped with a no-decision in each contest, he showed the command and control issues that have plagued him so far in his young career.
The Red Sox are coming off a loss to the Twins, but prior to that had reeled off nine straight wins. Boston was expected to be an afterthought in the AL East this year but currently sits atop the division thanks to some excellent batting. The BoSox are second in the majors in scoring with 5.80 runs per game while ranking fourth with a slugging percentage of .456.
They've also gotten some solid pitching from Nick Pivetta who will toe the mound tonight. The 28-year-old had been an analytics darling for years and could never put it together with the Phillies, but has gone 4-0 with a 2.57 ERA with Boston since being traded for at the end of last season.
With the Red Sox displaying more consistency and power at the plate, and the White Sox going 4-11 in their previous 15 games on the road, back the home side.
PREDICTION: ML Boston (-120)
Over/Under pick
Although Pivetta has been solid with Boston, he's coming off a bit of a shaky performance versus Baltimore and he struggled mightily when he played with Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Cease has a 1.46 WHIP dating back to last season so it's tough to trust the starting pitchers on either side.
It's much easier to put our faith in the batters for both teams, especially with Boston mashing. Red Sox sluggers J.D Martinez (.378 BA, 16 RBI), Xander Bogaerts (.370 BA), and Rafael Devers (5 homers, 13 RBI) have all been outstanding this season. This has led to the Red Sox topping the AL in both scoring and batting average.
Although the White Sox have been a bit up-and-down and clearly miss injured outfielder Eloy Jimenez, they still have plenty of big bats in their lineup and ranked sixth in the majors with 5.03 runs a year ago.
The Red Sox have also been one of the best Over bets in the majors going back to last season, going 20-6-2 to the Over in their last 28 games at home and going 20-8 O/U in their previous 28 contests overall. And while these sides haven't played each other since 2019, they went 5-2 O/U in seven meetings that year. Back the Over again.
PREDICTION: Over 9 (-115)
White Sox vs Red Sox betting card
- ML Boston (-120)
- Over 9 (-115)
Picks made on 04/16/2021 at 9:40 a.m. ET.
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