The Boston Red Sox are on a historic run, having won 14 consecutive games to tie a franchise record set in 1946. This remarkable streak has transformed the team from potential trade deadline sellers into contenders for a playoff spot.
Pitching Matchup
Driving Boston's surge is the strong performance of starting pitcher Sonny Gray. Gray boasts a 12-2 record with a 2.78 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP this season. He has been particularly effective on the road recently, logging quality starts in his last six away appearances. The Athletics have a .276 batting average against Gray over their previous encounters.
In contrast, the Athletics are expected to start Mason Barnett, who has primarily been a relief pitcher this season. Barnett holds a 4.74 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He has struggled in July, allowing 11 earned runs in 9.1 innings, and the Athletics have lost every game in which he has appeared this month. The Athletics' bullpen also ranks as the worst in baseball.
Team Performance
The Red Sox's recent success has seen their pitching and hitting numbers improve significantly. Manager Alex Cora's team now possesses the best ERA in baseball. The Athletics, meanwhile, have struggled mightily since June 11, mirroring a similar difficult stretch they experienced last season. While the team is in a rebuilding phase, with prospects like Tommy White already being called up, their current performance indicates a challenging season.
Given the Red Sox's dominance and the Athletics' struggles, particularly with their bullpen and Barnett's inexperience as a starter, oddsmakers and analysts favor Boston. The recommendation is to bet on the Red Sox covering the run line, indicating confidence in their ability to win by a significant margin.