MLB Sunday August 7th Red Sox at Royals Betting Preview
Boston Goes for 4-Game Split
It’s been a solid weekend for Kansas City, who has taken two of three so far in their series against Boston. Oddsmakers like the visitors to get back on track though, making Boston a -148 favorite in the August 7th Red Sox at Royals betting matchup.
The Red Sox didn’t do as much as some people expected at the trade deadline – buying or selling – and they remain four games back from the final wild card spot with three teams to jump. Boston was just 8-19 in July and have started off August 3-3, so they need to start getting hot soon.
Red Sox Fell Just Short
Saturday’s contest was a back-and-forth one as Boston came back to tie or take the lead after falling behind three different times. Ultimately a Nick Pratto walk-off HR in the bottom of the 9th sent the Red Sox to a 5-4 loss as -147 favorites.
Boston also lost the series opener 7-3 as -140 favorites but did pick up a 7-4 victory on Friday at -113. That has the Red Sox aiming for 4-game series split on Sunday, as they are just 6-10 since the All-Star break. Eric Hosmer has gone 1-7 for Boston this weekend, returning to where he played from 2011-2017.
Kutter Crawford (3-3, 3.86 ERA) starts in the August 7th Red Sox at Royals matchup having allowed just one ER in each of his last two outings. This is Crawford’s first career appearance vs. Kansas City, and he is 2-1 with a 3.33 ERA on the road this season.
Royals Aim for Series Victory
Kansas City has some value at +126 in the finale as they try to take three of four in the series. Pratto delivered the big blow in the 9th on Saturday night but MJ Melendez and Kyle Isbel both also went deep during the win. Isbel added a triple on Friday night, and Melendez had a HR in Thursday night’s win. Salvador Perez has also went deep in two of three games this series.
The Royals have won four of their last five Sunday games but are also just 2-6 in their last 8 vs. RH starters. Kansas City has posted a 4-6 mark over their last 10 but are also just 5-15 in their last 20 against Boston.
Brad Keller (5-12, 4.61 ERA) starts for Kansas City coming off his worst outing of the season. The right-hander allowed 13 hits and 8 ER over 5.2 IP as the Royals fell 9-2 to the White Sox. KC has now lost three straight Keller starts as he’s given up 15 ER over 15.2 IP.
Free August 7th Red Sox at Royals Betting Pick
Boston dropped a tough one on Saturday even after bouncing back after three different deficits. 70% of the betting public likes Boston in this spot, Keller has had his share of struggles lately for the Royals and the Red Sox need to salvage a series split as they try to stay in the wild card race.
Crawford has shown some improvement his last two starts for Boston, and the rookie seems to be finding his groove as an MLB pitcher.
Free Pick: Red Sox -1.5 (+105)
