The Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox meet at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on Friday, July 9. This is the start of what should be a fun three-game series, and it’s one in which the Phillies will really need to see some results.
Will Philadelphia pick up a big road win to start this series? Keep reading our Phillies vs. Red Sox picks and predictions to find out.
Phillies vs Red Sox game info
• Location: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
• Date: Friday, July 9, 2021
• Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
• TV: NBCSP, NESN
Phillies vs Red Sox odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare MLB odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
MLB sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonBoston went up as a -130 favorite Thursday night at BetMGM Nevada, and the line hasn't budged a penny since, remaining -130 as of 4:45 pm.. ET today. "Ticket count is 2/1 and money about 5/1 on the Red Sox, but it's a small decision," BetMGM Nevada's Randy Madayag said. The total opened at 11 (Under -120) and is now 11 (Over -120), with ticket count 4/1 and money 9/1 on the Over, but much like moneyline betting, it's a small pot and small decision.
Check out the full line movement for this gamePhillies vs Red Sox betting preview
Starting pitchers
Vince Velasquez (3-3, 4.50 ERA): Velasquez pitched a gem against the Miami Marlins on June 29, but he followed it up by giving up five earned runs and two homers in six innings against the San Diego Padres in his last start. That’s one of the problems with the righty. You just really don’t know what you’re going to get. However, it is worth noting that he is 3-1 with a 2.98 ERA when pitching at night this season.
Garrett Richards (4-5, 4.88 ERA): Richards had been struggling before allowing only two earned runs in five innings in a 7-6 loss to the Oakland Athletics in his last start. The righty would surely love another start like that one tonight, but this Phillies team has scored eight or more runs in three of its last four games.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Key injuries
Phillies: OF Odubel Herrera (probable)
Red Sox: OF Marwin Gonzalez (questionable), OF Danny Santana (questionable), RP Ryan Brasier (out)
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Phillies are 4-1 in their last five series openers. Find more MLB betting trends for Phillies vs. Red Sox.
Moneyline pick
With Richards on the mound, there’s not much resistance to the Phillies' offense getting hot once again. Philadelphia scored a total of 28 runs in the first two games of a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs, and the team then finished the series off with an 8-0 win.
Bryce Harper has been excellent for the Phillies recently, and he seems primed to have a big game in this one. Harper is 0 for 2 in his career against Richards, but the slugger is also at his best against right-handed pitching. Why wouldn’t he turn things around against one that doesn’t have his best stuff at the moment? Also, Brad Miller could be an X-factor for Philadelphia in this game, if he’s in the lineup. He had three hits and five RBIs for the Phillies last night, and he is another guy that is at his best against righties.
Of course, the Red Sox also seemingly have a prime matchup against Velasquez in this game. However, the righty has done surprisingly well against these Boston hitters in the past. The entire Red Sox lineup is a combined 6 for 36 with just one homer and three RBIs against Velasquez. And even if the team does get it going, it’s hard to imagine them outscoring this Phillies team right now.
PREDICTION: Phillies ML (+120)
Over/Under pick
The Over had hit in each of Philadelphia’s previous four games before the team scored eight runs in a game that went Under against Chicago. The Phillies did their part in that one and they have a great opportunity to keep it up heading into this series with the Red Sox. Meanwhile, Boston hasn’t been great offensively as of late, but the team should be happy to return home. The Sox had scored 43 runs in the last five home games they played before hitting the road for six games in a row.
PREDICTION: Over 11.0 (-104)
Phillies vs Red Sox betting card
- Phillies ML (+120)
- Over 11.0 (-104)
Picks made on 7/9/2021 at 12:30 a.m. ET
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