Cleveland Guardians (10-5) vs. Boston Red Sox (9-7)
The MLB season continues to align the matchup at Fenway Park on Wednesday, between the Cleveland Guardians and Boston Red Sox. The Guardians (10-5) and the Red Sox (9-7), the latter trying to claw out of their recent failure, will play each other, with the Guardians hoping to widen their lead in their division. It is not only the game but also the two teams that go ahead to attract huge fan support and attention from the best betting websites as they are a sure bet for a close contest.
The Cleveland team has ended the flow of the season this time. Individually, they have a .256 team batting average and a power-hitting prowess that is reflected in their 73 runs, 123 hits, and the ability to keep opponents down. The staff of their pitching, capable to demonstrate a creditable 3.02 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, has demonstrated that it holds the ability to keep the runs happening at a minimum. Nevertheless, they have been slacking, winning a few games and losing others in the last five games and this may be an area of concern to bettors who look at performance consistency.
The Boston Red Sox have started on a rockier note. Although the Red Sox have a slightly decreased batting average of the team at .233, their pitchers have excelled themselves in ERA (2.44) and WHIP (1.13). These are some of the best numbers in the whole league! Pitchers of the team have indeed performed strong games, but their pitching performances have failed to produce the desired wins which is underscored by their current two wins and four losses. Whether, this downturn is a source of strength or a cause of worry in the context of the following event will be contingent on how they react therein.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Boston Red Sox Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 7:10 PM ET |
| Where: | Fenway Park, Boston, MA |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Ben Lively (4-7, 5.38 ERA) vs. Tanner Houck (2-1, 2.04 ERA)
Ben Lively, whose unfavorable statistics in the preceding season included a 5.38 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP and made his pitching performance 88.2 innings long, would likely attempt to bounce back this season. Lively’s fastball has been impressive, but his long ball (20 HRs last season) might be his weakness, more than his advantage, especially with the Red Sox six players who have already hit the ball across the plate this season.
A totally different picture from a strong start for Tanner Houck hides the numbers: ERA of 2.04 and WHIP 1.19. The evidence of Houck’s doing is clear. He managed to only issue 2 walks in 17.2 innings, with the same number of strikeouts (19). Low home run allowance and maintaining composure on the mound had made his game tough which could give the Red Sox the upper hand during this game.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
Currently, the specific betting odds for the matchup remain undetermined. However, considering both teams’ recent performances and pitching matchups, the game promises a close contest. Bettors should keep an eye on the odds as they develop, particularly looking at underdog opportunities and total runs for value bets.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Trends
The Guardians have shown considerable profitability on the road, winning 7 games out of 9, which could mean success in the upcoming match against the Red Sox at Fenway. However, their general recent form against the spread indicates that they might be not so invulnerable. Their games have been OVER in totals 3 of the past 5; it suggests that they have been higher scoring than intended.
Boston Red Sox Betting Trends
Similar to the Guardians, the Red Sox gained an advantage on the road against the spread (7-3,) but their poor form is still worrying (1-4 against the spread and in straight games). This brings home the fact that losses are more frequent and it is difficult to recover from them, which is a key factor of how the betting market behaves.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Boston Red Sox 4/17/24 Betting Picks
Analyzing these teams and based on the form thus far, it leans slightly in favor of the Boston Red Sox due to their pitching strength especially with Tanner Houck ready to pitch. The Guardians may find it difficult to tip the scales against the strong pitcher despite the better hitting statistics.
For bettors, focusing on the pitching matchup suggests potential value in betting under on total runs, assuming both starters perform to their stats. Furthermore, considering the daily MLB picks, the Red Sox could be a prudent pick to win at home if they manage to translate their pitching advantage into game control.
