The set-up: Boston jumped out to 5-0 lead against the Pirates on Opening Day (Monday) but 2016 CY Young winner Rick Porcello ran into trouble in the 7th, when Pittsburgh scored three times. However, Boston's bullpen pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th (not without some angst, though) for a 5-3 Boston win. Monday's opener was Boston's first since longtime DH David Ortiz retired but rookie Andrew Benintendi helped Boston quickly turn the page to a new era with a three-run HR, as well as making a leaping catch in left field to stifle a rally by the Pirates in the seventh. In contrast, Pittsburgh's star outfielders, Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte, combined to go 0-for-8 on Monday, with McCutchen striking out three times (including one with the bases loaded in the seventh inning!).

The pitching matchup: The Pirates send Jameson Taillon (5-4 & 3.38 ERA in 2016) to face Chris Sale (17-10 & 3.34), who Boston acquired in December from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for for a massive haul of prospects, Sale has been an All-Star in five straight seasons while finishing in the top six in Cy Young Award voting each time. Sale matched a career high in wins while posting personal bests in starts (32), innings (226 2/3) and complete games (six) for Chicago last year. Taillon was promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis in June and allowed three earned runs or less in 13 of his final 14 starts last year! He was the overall No. 2 pick in the 2010 draft but missed all of 2014 and 2015 following Tommy John and hernia surgeries.

The pick: Sale makes his debut for the Boston Red Sox in this one and he's 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA in six career games (three starts) at Fenway Park. He has never faced the Pirates but he does own a 1.00 ERA in nine career appearances (seven starts) against National League Central teams. Taillon looked good in the second half of last year but I believe he's in a little over his head here, up against Sale in Fenway. Make Boston an 8* play.