- The Boston Red Sox are away favorites (-172 odds) vs the Oakland Athletics in a 10:05 p.m. first pitch.
OAKLAND – With help from the elite pitching of Garrett Crochet this season, the Boston Red Sox are favored by sportsbooks to continue their playoff push. But Luis Morales could keep the game close despite the public leaning heavily on the Red Sox’s odds to win on Monday.
Some may chase props at legal MLB sportsbooks like Shea Langeliers to hit a homerun (+350 odds) or Trevor Story to record two RBI (+400). However, looking at the pitching matchup and first five lines may be the better option.
Best Bets For Athletics and Red Sox
- Take the under five runs during the first 5 innings. With some shade on the under already, it comes in around -125 odds, but both pitchers have shown effectiveness. Since Roman Anthony’s injury for the Red Sox, Boston is 3-4, averaging over 3.4 runs per game.
- Bet the Athletics on the run line (+1.5, -115 odds). Oakland is 7-3 over their last 10 home games and Morales’ ability to control the narrative make this a better play than the moneyline on either side.
- Look at Crochet strikeouts and consider the over (8.5 SOs at +120 odds). Posting a 30.5% K-rate, Crochet has cleared 8.5 in 19 of 24 starts. With the Athletics recording 8.6 per game (20th in MLB), the +120 odds seem too good to pass up.
- Fade Luis Morales’ strikeouts and take under 4.5 (+125 odds). While Morales has been very consistent in his early career, the Red Sox have discipline at the plate and chasing -165 odds on the over seems like a great way to lose money.
With a 10:05 p.m. ET first pitch, sportsbooks in California will be taking action all day. As odds are likely to move as the day progresses, be sure to get in your wagers on time or jump on a live bet in an assumed low scoring game.
