Boston Red Sox vs Philadelphia Phillies

It's the third straight road game for Philadelphia after losing at Fenway yesterday, 8-6, as a favorite. The bullpen is 17th in WHIP and the defense is 18th in fielding percentage. Boston is in the role of home underdog again despite an offense that is very good, ranked 12th in runs scored, ninth in on-base percentage, and seventh in slugging. Tanner Houck (1.91 ERA) has been outstanding with an 84-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio holding batters to a .200 average. The Red Sox have won his last four starts with him allowing just four runs in 27 innings. Play Boston. 

Any doubts about this Philly team being the best in the National League have to have been put to rest off their 45-20 start. They are 4-1 in their last five games and open a series tonight in Boston. The Phillies have shown to be a complete team as the offense is scoring 5.11 runs a game while the opponents are averaging just 3.45 runs per games. Overall, the Phillies are winning by an average of 1.66 runs per contest. Boston has just not been able to find a way to sustain winning and remain a team that is within a few games of .500 all season. The Sox are also just 15-20 in their last 35 games doing nothing to prove they are a threat. Make the play on Philadelphia.

Boston is an underdog despite winning eight in a row, including five as a dog. The Red Sox are second in the majors in runs scored, plus third in on-base percentage and slugging. Boston has won five of the six starts made by Tanner Houck and is 18-8 against teams that strike out 7+ times per game. Philadelphia's offense is 16th in runs and 15th in on-base percentage, while the pitching is 27th in ERA (5.15) and 22nd in WHIP. The Phillies are favored again but have lost five in a row and are 65-86 at home versus AL East opponents. Taijuan Walker (6.91 ERA) signed a $72-million dollar free agent contract but has been a bust and is stuck with a 7.27 ERA at home for his new team. Walker also has a 5.68 ERA in three career starts against the Red Sox. His teams are 1-12 when he starts against winning teams, so back the visitors to win the game or lose by one run. Play Boston on the Run-Line as a Max Play.