Boston has gotten itself back into the playoff mix by going 9-2 in June. But they are still only fourth in their own division where they don’t have much chance of catching the hated Yankees. So it’s probably “Wild Card or bust” for the BoSox and they need to continue winning.

Lucky for them, they are facing the A’s to start the week. Out in Oakland, the Red Sox swept a three-game series earlier this month. They outscored the A’s 20-4 in those three games.

Boston has posted four shutouts during their 9-2 run. I know that two of them were 1-0 games and they have two more one-run wins this month as well. But I think we’re “safe” playing the run line tonight. Quite frankly, I don't think this game will be close.

The A’s have just one win in June. They will start Koenig, whose first start saw him give up four runs in four innings. The A’s are also a terrible team offensively, ranking last in average, last in on base percentage, 29th in slugging and 29th in runs per game.

I do think the fact the Red Sox haven’t needed many runs to win lately bodes well. They are hitting .262 as a team at Fenway, so they should put up a decent number tonight. Pivetta should handle the A’s lineup again as he threw seven shutout innings the last time he faced them. In 8 of his 12 starts, Pivetta has allowed three runs or less. He had 11 strikeouts in his last start. Lay the -1.5!