After the Monday off day for both squads, the Boston Red Sox (53-47) take on the MLB-best Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park for the beginning of a quick two-game series. As the MLB approaches the trade deadline, the Red Sox are trending toward being buyers. Although there are rumors regarding Kike Hernandez being dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers, this series against the league’s best squad could be a very interesting litmus test for Boston.
Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves Pregame Analysis
The pitching matchup will be a fun one at America’s Most Beloved Ballpark: Nick Pivetta (RHP, 6-5, 4.38 ERA, 95 SO) against Charlie Morton (RHP, 10-7, 3.36 ERA, 119 SO. Bello’s changeup has been phenomenal this season. Last week, Pivetta looked strong in a relief appearance:
Nick Pivetta's tonight out of the pen vs. OAK: 6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 13 K.
He is the first pitcher in #MLB history with 13+ strikeouts and no hits allowed in a relief outing.pic.twitter.com/0uoE6jFWBd https://t.co/jqWnwGTnW0
— Ahaan Rungta (@AhaanRungta) July 18, 2023
Meanwhile, Morton will look to get back to his winning ways. His 5.2-inning start on July 19 (5-3 loss to the Diamondbacks) ended a five-game streak of winning decisions for the 39-year-old. Although Morton is in his 16th season, he is showing signs of being an important playoff pitcher for Atlanta. He has been putting on a show with his curveball:
Charlie Morton's curveball was the nastiest pitch in baseball during the first half 🔥✌️
(MLB Network x @googlecloud) | @Braves pic.twitter.com/bac1xzBzfM
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 16, 2023
Pivetta vs. Morton will make for an intriguing game on Tuesday. Although neither was an all-star this season, both pitchers have the capability of collecting a lot of shutout innings.
Boston will hope that Rafael Devers can keep a hot bat en route to some more victories. The Red Sox third baseman entered July with an OPS below .800, but his 22-for-57 July has been fantastic. He has put up slash numbers of .386/.453/.737/1.190, leading the Sox to an 11-4 record in his 15 games this month.
All lines and odds courtesy of BetMGM.
Betting Info for Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves
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Boston Red Sox
Atlanta Braves
Boston Red Sox +1.5
Atlanta Braves -1.5
Total:
Atlanta-Boston O/U 10
Picks and Predictions for the Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves
Boston Red Sox moneyline (+124)
The Red Sox have played some strong baseball recently, so let us go with the money line. Pivetta may not have his strongest stuff, as it is only his ninth start of the season, but Boston’s offense should succeed.
