Boston Red Sox (12-8) vs Seattle Mariners (12-7)
Game Info: Friday, April 23, 2021 at 7:10 pm (Fenway Park)
Martin Perez (0-1) (5.93) vs Yusei Kikuchi (0-0) (4.74)
Betting Odds: Boston Red Sox -136 / Seattle Mariners +126 --- Over/Under: 9.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Seattle Mariners visit the Boston Red Sox in an AL matchup on Friday night. It will be the second of a four-game set at Fenway Park.
Seattle scored 4 runs in the top of the tenth to take the first game in Boston on Thursday night. The pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts compared to just 2 walks. From the dish they has just 3 hits but Mitch Haniger put the game away with a 3-run shot in the top of the tenth. To start the season, Seattle has a .209 team batting average and .654 OPS. Mitch Haniger leads the team with a .316 average, 5 HR and 7 RBI.
Starting for the Mariners on Friday will be lefty Yusei Kukuchi. To start the season, he is 0-0 with a 4.74 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 19 strikeouts. In his career against this Boston lineup, he has allowed a .250 average with 2 home runs in 19 at bats.
The Red Sox have now lost three in a row after their extra inning defeat on Thursday. Nick Pivetta pitched well in the start, tossing 6 innings and allowing 2 runs. Darwinzon Hernandez got the loss after giving up 4 runs in the 10th. From the dish, Boston had 8 hits but were just 1-11 with runners in scoring position. To start the year, the Red Sox lead the league with a .281 team batting average, and rank second with a .807 OPS. J. D. Martinez leads the team with 6 home runs, 20 RBI and a 1.177 OPS.
Getting the start for the Red Sox on Friday will be lefty Martin Perez. He is 0-1 with a 5.93 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 12 strikeouts. He has allowed a .199 average with 4 home runs in 87 career at bats against this Mariners lineup.
Seattle is 7-3 in their last ten games, 5-2 on the road this season, 10-6 as the underdog, and the over is 9-8-1.
Boston is 6-4 in their last ten games, 6-6 at home this season, 6-4 as the favorite, and the over is 10-9.
This will be a battle of two first place teams early in the year. Both starters have been mediocre to start the season, but Boson’s lineup has faired much better against lefties. Boston’s offense has been the best in baseball over the last two weeks, so I like them to take advantage of a plus matchup early. Their bullpen has been solid, so the Sox should be able to hold down an early lead. Give me Boston to win.