Since getting the brooms busted out on them by the Baltimore Orioles to kick off the 2021 MLB betting season, the Boston Red Sox have rattled off nine straight wins to enter this weekend’s extended series with the Chicago White Sox in the catbird seat of the AL East. Not bad for a team that was left for dead entering the year after bringing up the rear of the division in last year’s COVID shortened regular season. Due to the doubleheader the BoSox were forced to partake in at Minnesota earlier in the week, they’ll need to call someone up to make this start so the other five starters can remain on regular rest. That means Tanner Houck is likely to get recalled from the alternate site in Worcester to make his second start of the season. Chicago has Dallas Keuchel penciled in to make his fourth start, but it’s highly possible Friday’s series opener is postponed with a substantial amount of rain expected to fall in the Boston area that day.
First pitch for the game between the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 4:05 p.m. ET from Fenway Park. The matchup will air live on FS1. Bet on MLB odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
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Odds Analysis
Though the Pale Hose are the running favorite to win the AL Central and sit only behind the Yankees on the odds to win the American League at online sportsbooks, Tony LaRussa’s squad hasn’t gotten out to the greatest of starts. Chicago has split its first 12 played games costing MLB bettors a hair under $120 overall. It’ll invade Fenway on Friday a sub .500 road team having gone 3-4 in its seven played games against the Angels and Mariners. After sweeping a doubleheader from the Twins on Wednesday, Boston is now the biggest money earner on the young season having reeled in just over $600 overall. However, it’s split its first six home games $35 but keep in mind the sweep of the Rays kick started what’s turned into a nine-game win streak heading into Thursday’s series finale with Minnesota.
Probable Pitchers
Dallas Keuchel: You can’t help but respect the true grit of one Dallas Keuchel. The dude was supposed to throw on Wednesday this week but found out a couple hours before first pitch on Monday that Carlos Rodon was going to be held back which forced him to swap starts. Instead of putting forth a hissy fit, Keuchel took the bump and put the White Sox in a position to win the game by churning out five innings of 3 ER ball with a 2:2 K/BB ratio. Though he didn’t figure into the decision, Chicago still went on to win the game in the ninth inning. That said, it’s been rough sledding for the veteran left-hander whose 6.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP are rough on the eyes. Fenway has also been a house of horrors for him in his limited appearances. The Lefty is 0-1 through three career starts with a 7.58 ERA and .500 BAA; four of the 25 hits conceded through 29 innings left the yard.
Tanner Houck: After tossing five innings of 2 ER ball at the Baltimore Orioles to go along with eight strikeouts and then throwing an inning of relief at the Rays three days later, the youngster was sent back down to Worcester to work on his third pitch splitter and get some seasoning. But due to Mother Nature wreaking havoc earlier in the week, the big club will have a need for his services once again on Saturday. Houck is a big, young right-handed fireballer that’s looking to impress in hopes of locking up a rotation spot later in the season should one of the current veteran pitchers become injured or struggle. He won all three of his starts last season while pitching to a miniscule 0.53 ERA and racking up 21 Ks through 21 innings of work. He’ll own the split advantage in this one as well should he remain in line to start it with the White Sox much better at hitting lefties No. 5 than righties No. 17.
White Sox vs. Red Sox Prediction
Though Keuchel will be on normal rest, I’m not sold it will matter in the grand scheme of things. It hasn’t been pretty for the south paw early on with him conceding at least 3 ER in each of his three starts, while serving up 13 hits 2 HR through 14 total innings of work. With Boston currently hitting everything in sight evidenced by ranking out No. 2 overall in runs scored, batting average and OPS, it’ll be a tough test for Chicago’s bearded lefty. That said, Boston is averaging a whopping 8.0 runs per game against right-handers and only 4.4 against left-handers. The wild card here is Houck. If on, he’s likely to rack up a very nice strikeout tally against a Chicago offense equipped with a number of free swingers. The Red Sox’ bullpen is one of the main reasons why it’s gotten out to such a hot start. Chicago’s has underperformed and is much better than its current stats suggest. Should an ump with a charitable strike zone situate himself behind the dish, it would force me to take a long look at the under for the second game of what’s likely to be a very competitive series. Check the weather and see which arms are available out of the pen; especially if Friday’s game is washed away.
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