August 26, 02:35 MLB Boston Arizona Overseas Baseball Analysis Sports Analysis
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Boston Red Sox, experiencing a downturn in both pitching and batting leading to a losing streak, will have Tanner Houck (8 wins, 8 losses, 3.01 ERA) aiming for his 9th win of the season. Houck pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs in an away game against Houston on the 20th, and the disparity between his home and away performances is gradually becoming apparent. Given his recent home outings, we can expect at least a Quality Start, but an alarming opposing batting average of .294 in low-scoring games could be the biggest X-factor. Boston's lineup, which managed to score only 1 run in the 9th inning against Seawold after being stifled by Zack Greinke the previous game, is currently struggling at a serious level. The bullpen, which allowed 2 runs over 4 innings, is particularly impacted by Lucas Sims' struggles in adapting.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, led by their ace, have achieved a five-game winning streak, and Merrill Kelly (3 wins, 3.63 ERA) is looking for his 4th win of the season. Kelly had a poor outing, giving up 6 runs over 5 innings in an away game against Tampa Bay on the 19th, which is not fitting for a road warrior. His previous poor performance could adversely influence this game as well. In their previous match, Arizona’s lineup scored 4 runs against Crawford and Sims, showcasing their offensive capabilities on the road. However, their performance with runners in scoring position is concerning, hitting only 1 for 10. The bullpen allowed just 1 run over 3 innings, but Paul Sewald's struggles appear to have reached a serious level.
In this series, Boston’s lineup is having difficulty against Arizona’s starting pitchers. Hitting Merrill Kelly, who has a diverse array of pitches, will likely not be easy. Of course, Houck’s pitching differs significantly from Crawford and Baio, and the starting match-up is quite even overall. Ultimately, the game will come down to the bullpen, and Boston has yet to utilize their key bullpen players in this series. With the advantage in the bullpen, the Boston Red Sox are closer to victory.
Predicted score: 4-3, Boston wins
Handicap: Arizona wins
Over/Under: Under