MLB Baseball
2012-07-19 - Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Thursday 19 July 2012 - First Pitch 7:10pm ET
12:10am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Boston Red Sox (47-45) will look to complete their second series win of the season against the Chicago White Sox (50-41) as they host a potential rival for a post-season spot for the final time this season.
Boston are 10.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East, but they are still in a position where they will be challenging for a Wild Card spot in they can have a strong second half of the season. With injuries beginning to clear up, especially compared to earlier this season, there is a real chance the Red Sox can.
On the other hand, Chicago are 2.5 games clear of the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central, but that is a tight race and there is no guarantee they will get into the Wild Card spots either.
The White Sox will give the ball to Jose Quintana who has a 4-1 record and a 2.60 ERA since coming into the starting pitching rotation which has been banged up. However, he has been struggling in his last couple of starts and will need to return to the form that made him such a success initially.
He has now given up 11 runs in the last 11 innings he has pitched on the road as the rookie makes his first start against the Red Sox.
Boston will be relying on Clay Buchholz who is making his second start since being activated off the disabled list. He has an 8-3 record this season and a 5.54 ERA and he took the loss in his latest start when he gave up 4 runs to the Tampa Bay Rays.
This will be the first start for Buchholz against the White Sox since 2010 when he posted a 2.08 ERA in two meetings against them.
Head to Head
Boston have taken two of three games in this series at Fenway Park and have improved to 5-2 against Chicago this season with just one game left to play.
The Red Sox might be 2-1 at home against Chicago this season, but they had actually lost 7 in a row here against them before that.
Boston are 24-25 at home this season, Chicago are 26-19 on the road.
Prediction
I can understand why Boston are considered the favourites in this game, but I think it is worth chancing the underdog Chicago White Sox to split the series with a win in this one.
Jose Quintana has struggled in his last couple of road starts, but Boston are going to be using a pitcher that has only recently come off the disabled list and one that can struggle for his command despite the number of wins he has recorded this season.
Both teams are capable of putting up a large number of runs so I wouldn't be that surprised if Boston do win, but the odds on offer make the road team a little tempting and worth a small interest.
The Pick :
Boston Red Sox 5-6 Chicago White Sox
