The Boston Red Sox are a perfect 5-0 over their last five games. The Red Sox can extend their winning streak to six with a win on Tuesday night in the first game of a two-game home series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Red Sox underdogs at Fenway Park on MLB odds for Tuesday
The Boston Red Sox will try to extend their winning streak when they host the Philadelphia Phillies as slight odds underdogs on the Tuesday slate.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Boston is a +100 home underdog on the MLB odds in the series opener at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Brian Johnson is expected to take the hill for the Red Sox going up against Aaron Nola and the Phillies as -120 road favorites.
Philadelphia Phillies at Boston Red Sox
When: Tuesday, August 20, 7:10 p.m. ET
Where: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
Betting Line / Total: Philadelphia -120 / 11 Runs
Even after winning their last five games, the Red Sox remain a long shot to make the postseason this year with three very good teams in the Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Oakland Athletics in front of them in the wild card standings.
News broke on Monday that Chris Sale will not require Tommy John Surgery, but he will still be out for the remainder of the regular season with inflammation on his throwing arm. Even with his struggles this season, Sale has been one of Boston’s most effective starters.
In their last 11 games as a home underdog, the Red Sox are just 3-8 per the OddsShark MLB Database.
Over in the National League, the wild card race is a lot more wide open. With a record of 64-60, the Phillies are one of four teams all within two games of each other in the standings vying for the NL’s second wild card spot behind the Washington Nationals. Philadelphia has hovered around .500 for most of the season, but Aaron Nola has led his team to a 15-5 record in his last 20 starts.
Phillies at Red Sox Betting Total
Tuesday night’s total is set at 11 runs. The UNDER is 7-1 in Philadelphia’s last eight games against an American League opponent.
Nola will give the Phillies a considerable starting pitching advantage on Tuesday with his 3.56 ERA and 1.26 WHIP against Brian Johnson’s 6.45 ERA and 2.01 WHIP. Wednesday night’s game will feature two starters who have had rough 2019 seasons in Rick Porcello (5.49 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) and Drew Smyly (7.09 ERA, 1.66 WHIP). The total figures to be sky-high in that one.
For more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news check out the OddsShark podcast. Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify or listen to it at OddsShark.libsyn.com.
