Boston Red Sox vs Baltimore Orioles Prediction: A sweep around the corner for Orioles

Friday's Major League Baseball matchup features the Boston Red Sox facing off against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. In their initial two encounters, the Orioles emerged victorious, and now the Red Sox aim to reverse their fortunes. Let's delve into the game preview and offer a prediction.

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are currently 7-5 for the season, but they've faced a setback with three losses in their last four games. Although they lost the first two games of this series, they did manage to win two out of three against the Los Angeles Angels and swept the Athletics in previous matchups. Their pitching staff has been impressive, boasting a 2.08 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and holding opponents to a .205 batting average. Offensively, they've scored 56 runs with a .235 batting average and a .312 on-base percentage. Tyler O'Neill stands out with a .343 batting average, six home runs, and seven RBIs for the Red Sox. Garrett Whitlock is projected as the starting pitcher for the Red Sox, holding a 1-0 record with a 0.96 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP over 9.1 innings pitched this season.

On the other hand, the Boston Red Sox face challenges as they have lost their last 10 night games following a home loss. Additionally, they have not covered the run line in their last 11 night games after a home loss.

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles are off to a strong start this season with a 7-4 record and two consecutive wins. They have dominated the first two games of this series, winning with scores of 7-1 and 7-5, and are aiming for a series sweep. Before facing the Red Sox, the Orioles split a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates and won a series against the Kansas City Royals. Their pitching staff boasts an impressive 2.88 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and limits opponents to a .205 batting average. Offensively, they've scored 61 runs with a .235 batting average and a .292 on-base percentage. Anthony Santander leads the team with a .213 batting average, two home runs, and 11 RBIs. Grayson Rodriguez, projected as the starting pitcher for the Orioles, holds a 2-0 record with a 2.19 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP over 12.1 innings pitched this season.

Expert Betting Tips

The Baltimore Orioles are aiming for their third consecutive win in this series, having scored seven runs in each of the first two games. On the other side, the Boston Red Sox are seeking their first home win of the season, with Garrett Whitlock taking the mound. Whitlock has allowed only one earned run over 9.1 innings against Seattle and the Angels. The Orioles are starting Grayson Rodriguez, who has given up three earned runs over 12.1 innings against the Angels and Pirates. Both pitchers have shown strength early in the 2024 season, but I believe the Orioles' offense has a significant advantage over Boston's. Therefore, I'm leaning towards the Baltimore Orioles for a potential sweep in this matchup.