The streaking and red-hot Philadelphia Phillies get set to take on the Boston Red Sox in the finale of a three-game set Thursday night inside famed and historic Fenway Park in Boston, MA. They throw out the first pitch at 7:10 pm.
Bookmaker has installed the Phillies -120 on the ML.
The Phillies have had a great season and are off to one of the great franchise starts to a campaign. They have a loaded roster and talent up and down their batting order, not to mention great starting pitching.
Put that all together, and right now, they are a very dangerous team that could make another deep run into the playoffs come October. On offense, they have a ton of big-time sluggers and guys who can get on base every single night. They are led by slugging first baseman Bryce Harper, who once again is showing the league why he is a perennial MVP candidate when healthy and on the field.
He has already smashed 15 home runs and is hitting close to .280 on the season. He is the heart and soul of this team, and the fanbase loves his passion for the game.
The Red Sox are an average team, and their record reflects that. They have had some nice wins this season and some brutal losses, and they need to start stringing together some wins and at least stay within striking distance of teams ahead of them in the AL East.
Every team is looking up at the New York Yankees, who are trying to run away with the division.
Third baseman Rafael Devers has been a consistent offensive spark for the Red Sox and handles a slick glove. He has cracked 13 home runs and should drill more than 30 again this season. He has also shown to be one of the true leaders on the team and brings professionalism to work everyday.
Jarren Duran has also been a nice surprise, as he has collected 17 doubles and five home runs.
Boston will hand the ball to Tanner Houck, who sports a mark of 6-5 and has pitched well this season. He has won three out of his last four starts, too, and takes the ball and steps on the mound with an ERA of 1.91 on the season. He has fanned 84 in 85 innings of work.
The Red Sox are 2-3 in their last five games and 2-3 in their previous five games against the spread. They are 19-15 in their road games this season against the spread. The totals have gone over in three out of their last five games, and the totals have gone over in 11 out of their last 33 games at home. The Phillies are 3-2 in their previous five games against the spread. They are 16-13 in their road games against the number too.
