PREMIUM
3-Game MLB SWEEPER PASS
(MLB) Pittsburgh vs. Boston,
Money Line: -160.00 Boston (Home)
Result: Push
Money Line: -160.00 Boston (Home)
Result: Push
The set-up: The Red Sox won the AL East last season (93 wins) but went meekly in the ALDS, losing three straight to the Indians. As for the Pirates, they saw their three-year wild card steak end last season, going just 78-83. The two teams will conclude their three-game series this afternoon in Fenway, with Boston going for a sweep.Boston won 5-3 on Monday and last night, won 3-0 on catcher Sandy Leon's walk-off three-run HR in the bottom of the 12th. Boston newcomer Chris Sale and five relievers limited the Pirates to just five hits over 12 innings.
The pitching matchup: The Pirates will send Chad Kuhl (5-4 & 4.20 ERA in 2016) up against Boston's Eduardo Rodriguez (3-7 & 4.71 ERA in 2016) in today's finale. Kuhl has made the Opening Day roster for the first time after a solid rookie campaign in which he lasted at least six innings in six of his first eight starts. The Pirates won his first six starts and finished 9-5 (plus-$807) in his 14 starts in 2016. He was significantly better on the road, going 3-1 with a 2.72 ERA in eight outings away from home while holding opponents to a .231 average. The 24-year-old has never faced the Red Sox and this will be his first appearance in Fenway. Due to injuries to David Price and Drew Pomeranz, Rodriguez begins the 2017 season in Boston's starting rotation. He had an awful start to his 2016 season but posted a 3.24 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. If he pitches like that, he has a chance to stay in the rotation. Rodriguez has never faced the Pirates.
The pick: Pittsburgh's lineup has struck out 17 times and drawn three walks through the first two games. Considering Rodriguez's string finish to last season plus the fact that he enjoyed a strong spring (3-0 with a 3.68 ERA and 20 strikeouts), there is no reason Boston can't complete the sweep. This series marked the Pirates' first trip to Fenway since June 2005. Before that, Pittsburgh had not played in Boston since the inaugural World Series in 1903. After losing again here, the Pirates won't be looking to come back any time soon. Make Boston.
The pitching matchup: The Pirates will send Chad Kuhl (5-4 & 4.20 ERA in 2016) up against Boston's Eduardo Rodriguez (3-7 & 4.71 ERA in 2016) in today's finale. Kuhl has made the Opening Day roster for the first time after a solid rookie campaign in which he lasted at least six innings in six of his first eight starts. The Pirates won his first six starts and finished 9-5 (plus-$807) in his 14 starts in 2016. He was significantly better on the road, going 3-1 with a 2.72 ERA in eight outings away from home while holding opponents to a .231 average. The 24-year-old has never faced the Red Sox and this will be his first appearance in Fenway. Due to injuries to David Price and Drew Pomeranz, Rodriguez begins the 2017 season in Boston's starting rotation. He had an awful start to his 2016 season but posted a 3.24 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. If he pitches like that, he has a chance to stay in the rotation. Rodriguez has never faced the Pirates.
The pick: Pittsburgh's lineup has struck out 17 times and drawn three walks through the first two games. Considering Rodriguez's string finish to last season plus the fact that he enjoyed a strong spring (3-0 with a 3.68 ERA and 20 strikeouts), there is no reason Boston can't complete the sweep. This series marked the Pirates' first trip to Fenway since June 2005. Before that, Pittsburgh had not played in Boston since the inaugural World Series in 1903. After losing again here, the Pirates won't be looking to come back any time soon. Make Boston.
