Baltimore vs Boston, 4/10/24

Posted Record: 7-1-1 (+7.66 units)

I was on Ace, Corbin Burnes yesterday. However, today Kaufee switches his loyalty to the Red Sox. In my humble opinion, baseball is as much psychological as it is physical. Today we got the news we all expected, albeit a little sooner than anticipated. Jackson Holliday (Baseball's #1 prospect) gets called up. The kid is going to be really good (if not great) for a long time. But, why bring him up 2 weeks into the season? If you're gonna do that, just put him on the opening day roster. Now, it's a big spectacle and a bit of a distraction (at least for tonight's game). Everyone will be tuning in to see his first game while his teammates take a backseat. I'm sure Matt and Jackson's mom will be shown 100 times in the stands, while tonight's game becomes all about the 20 year old phenom. Unfortunately for Baltimore, Boston could care less about the call up. In fact, they're more concerned about the scouting report on the kid. I believe the distraction will have an effect on the O's (at least for one game). 

However, the real reason I like Boston to take this game is the pitching matchup. Due to a few injuries to Balt's starting rotation, Cole Irvin will get his 2nd start. His first went more than poorly, finishing with a 7.20 ERA and 1.80 WHIP.  In fact, he's never proven to be a good starting pitcher. His stuff just isn't good enough to go through a big league lineup more than once. He belongs in the bullpen. Opposite Irvin will be Kutter Crawford. He and Tanner Houck have quietly been Boston's best starters. He showed flashes of figuring out the big leagues in 2023. His ERA was 4.04, but opponents hit just .221 against him, with a 1.11 WHIP. In 2024, he's started two games (10.2 innings) and sits on a 0.84 ERA and 0.84 WHIP. I expect some regression of course. But, I do think he's in for a career year and should outduel Irvin tonight. 

Given the starting pitching advantage and the Jackson Holliday distraction, I'll take Boston for the win. 

Red Sox -110 for 2 units 

Cheer and BOL to all 

@Kaufee

@Kaufee

 Let’s gooooo!!!

@tomboy23

@kidd22 

@TGreene2171

@lopez021130

@kevinc004 

Irvin sucks...

Huge O's fan.....

Holliday is gonna be special...

Many others will be up soon enough.....

BOL

@Kaufee

 Always an interesting write up, good luck ?? 

Rain in the forecast for this game. Gonna be a few delays I’m thinking

Great write up! Lfg Red Sox!

@bigred84 bright future for Balty 

@lik122 Let’s get em Lik

@Brickboy thanks Brickboy

@YELAWOLF shit, I checked earlier and it looked like no rain. Hopefully just a few light showers 

@Horus1 Thanks Horus! Let get it 

@Kapthat

 BOL to you too

I don't post a thread without some type of a write up so I appreciate it when others do it as well. Excellent work and good luck with the pick!

Thank you Sir Kaufee 

@Kaufee

@mrusso Thanks mrrusso! I've appreciated your write ups in the past. always a good read

@money_come2me -my pleasure, now let's get it

@FelixFermin21 - My man Felix

@ABooksNightmare - Cheers ABN

@Kaufee

Let’s go!!!

Pitching edge is definitely with the Sox. Plus, not many players come out of Okeechobee, Crawford's home town.

Despite pitching edge, I laid off the Sox tonight.

Reasons:

--O's have a great left-handed offense. They can bang any righty.

--Boston's line-up is not that strong. They had a great west coast trip to start the season but it was against the A's, Angels and Mariners.

BOL

RT2

Was eyeing this one down myself before your post and now I’ll be tailing. Totally agree on Cole Irvin. He was very average when he was with Oakland and I watched him face my Royals and he looked the same ole average, fill in starter. Boston should have much more success tonight than they did vs Burnes yesterday. Let’s get this!