Oakland Athletics vs Boston Red Sox Prediction, 7/7/2023 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Oakland Athletics vs Boston Red Sox

Date: Friday, July 7, 2023

Location: Fenway Park in Boston, MA

TV: NESN

The Boston Red Sox (44-43) will play the Oakland Athletics (25-63) at Fenway Park on Friday. The starting pitchers will be Paul Blackburn and James Paxton.

The Athletics have accounted for 116 doubles as a unit and have knocked 81 balls out of the park. Oakland has a slugging rate of .352 and have been rung up 810 times, while drawing a walk on 288 occasions. As a unit, the Oakland Athletics are putting up 3.6 runs per game, which has them sitting at 30th in the league. They have accounted for 310 runs batted in and 642 base knocks over the course of the season, and their average at the plate is .221. They have accounted for 320 runs while holding a team on-base percentage of .300.

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The Athletics have an ERA of 5.95 over the course of the season (30th in MLB), and the staff has struck out 691 hitters. Athletics pitchers have yielded 125 home runs and 547 runs in total (30th in MLB). They have walked 385 batters and their FIP is 5.31 as a team on the campaign. Oakland has surrendered 820 hits (9.5 per 9 innings) in addition to 514 earned runs. They have a K/BB ratio of 1.79 and their pitching staff holds a WHIP of 1.55.

The Athletics relief pitchers have compiled a save rate of 48.3% and has stepped onto the mound in 54 save situations. The bullpen pitchers have inherited 160 base runners so far this season with 41.9% of them crossed the plate. Athletics bullpen pitchers have stepped onto the hill with runners on base 105 times as well as having 103 appearances in high leverage situations. The Athletics have sent 292 relief pitchers to the hill so far this year. The relief pitchers have racked up 24 holds so far this season (29th in the league). They have earned 14 saves on the season and have blown 15 out of their 29 chances to get a save.

The Athletics have converted 67.9% of balls hit into play into outs out of 6,993 innings on the field, which has them ranked 23rd in the majors. The Oakland Athletics have a total of 2,331 putouts this season, in addition to 699 assists and 52 errors. Their fielding percentage is currently at .983 which is 25th in the majors, and they have twisted 62 double plays.

Blackburn (14-18 mark in his career) has earned a FIP of 4.35 and he has faced 1,233 hitters in the major leagues. He has given up 318 hits (10.0 hits per 9 innings) and has had 80 walks. His earned run average is 5.02 (159 ER's allowed) and he has a WHIP of 1.395. Blackburn has taken the hill for 285 frames and is sitting with 206 K's during his career.

The Boston Red Sox have accounted for a team OBP of .330 in addition to a batting average of .261 this year. They have been rung up on 712 instances (20th in the league) and have tallied 778 hits. Boston has accounted for 90 HRs this season to go along with 401 RBIs. The Red Sox have a slugging percentage of .424 and they are scoring 4.83 runs per contest (8th in MLB). They have notched 194 two-baggers, while walking 277 times and scoring 420 runs.

The Boston pitching staff have given up 409 runs this year while holding an ERA of 4.39 (375 earned runs given up). They have given up 112 home runs and they relinquish 4.79 runs per 9 innings (20th in MLB). The Red Sox hold a team WHIP of 1.293 with a FIP of 4.39 as a squad so far this year. They currently have a strikeout to walk ratio of 8.60 (734 strikeouts against 248 walks). They come in at 24th in MLB as a pitching staff in total hits surrendered with 746.

Boston has had relief pitchers step onto the mound in 32 save opportunities and they have come away with 24 saves. They are currently ranked 3rd in MLB with a save rate of 75.0%, and they have dispatched 261 bullpen pitchers onto the field on the season. Their relief pitchers have stepped onto the hill 72 times in high leverage situations and on 56 occasions with runners on. Boston relievers hold an inherited score percentage of 32.9% of 85 inherited base runners. With 70 save situations, the Red Sox have 38 holds and 8 blown saves.

Out of their 6,921 innings played, the Red Sox have a defensive efficiency of 68.7% (19th in MLB). The Boston Red Sox have gotten 72 double plays and own a fielding percentage of .982 (29th in the majors). The Red Sox have racked up 772 assists, 57 errors and are sitting with 2,307 putouts so far this season.

During his MLB career, Paxton has conceded 719 base knocks and he has 892 strikeouts in 804 innings pitched. Paxton (61-34 record in his career) has a 3.53 earned run average while surrendering 8.0 hits per 9 innings. He has allowed a total of 316 earned runs while earning a WHIP of 1.197 and a FIP of 3.3. He has a K/BB ratio of 3.66 and he has faced 3,326 opposing hitters during his pro baseball career.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Boston

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