Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Seattle Mariners (16-21) will take on the Boston Red Sox (14-22) Thursday for game-one of a four game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts and can be viewed on MLB Network.  

Score Prediction

Mariners 3, Red Sox 2 

Best Bets 

  • Under 8.5 (+100)
Updated on 03/18/2024
Bonus Code No Code Needed Claim Now

Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox Betting Predictions

The Seattle Mariners enter this matchup fourth in the AL West, eight games behind the Houston Astros for first place. After starting the season 11-6, the Mariners have lost 15 of their last 20 games. The offense has seen a lack of production this season, scoring two runs or less in 17 games. The bullpen has not been good either, allowing 3.90 runs per game. Right-handed pitcher George Kirby is scheduled to start Thursday. Kirby made his MLB debut on May fifth of this season. In his two big league games, Kirby has gone 0-0 with an ERA of 0.90 and has given up seven hits, one earned run, and struck out eight batters in 10.0 innings.  

The Red Sox continue to struggle and are now fourth in the Al East, 13 games behind the first place Yankees. Boston has won back-to-back games three times this season, but have lost two games or more five times thus far. The offense ranks in the bottom half of the league, averaging 3.7 runs per game. The bullpen has been no better and have given up five runs or more in 14 games. The left-hander Rich Hill is expected to take the mound Thursday. Hill is 1-1 in six games this season with an ERA of 2.89 and has allowed 24 hits, nine earned runs, and struck out 21 batters in 28.0 innings of work.  

I like the total to go under in this matchup. Neither team has been hitting the ball well as of late and both starters are coming off solid outings. Rich hill is coming off a 6.0 inning performance on May 14th, allowing seven hits and one earned run. Kirby is coming off a 6.0 inning performance on May 8th and gave up four hits and zero earned runs. Expect similar performances from both pitchers and for the total to go under.

Get the VI Daily Newsletter! Get the VI Daily Newsletter!

Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox Betting Odds

  • Mariners +110
  • Red Sox -130
  • Mariners +1.5 (-165)
  • Red Sox -1.5 (+145)
  • Over 8.5 (-120)
  • Under 8.5 (+100)

MLB Odds | World Series Odds | Expert Picks

(Getty)

Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox Betting Resources

  • Date: Thursday, May 19, 2022
  • Matchup: AL West vs. AL East
  • Stadium: Fenway Park
  • Location: Boston, Massachusetts
  • TV-Time: MLBN - 7:10 p.m. ET

Seattle Mariners Betting Analysis

Prior to the results of Wednesday night’s game against Toronto, the Mariners are 16-21 SU, 19-18 ATS, and have an O/U record of 18-18-1. The total has gone under in four of Seattle's last six games.  The Mariners have gone 3-10 SU in their last 13 road games and 7-14 SU on the road this season. Following these trends, the Mariners are 1-10 SU in their last 11 matchups against an American league opponent.  

The Mariners have not been able to get much going with their bats. As a team Seattle has a batting average of .231 (19th), on base percentage of .314 (13th), slugging percentage of .368 (18th), and have scored 141 runs (21st). The third baseman Ty France leads the team with a batting average of .315 (46-146), five home runs, and 25 RBIs. Shortstop J.P. Crawford has also been hitting the ball fairly well with a batting average of .302 (38-126), four home runs, and 11 RBIs.  

Seattle’s bullpen has not been any better than their offense. As a team they are allowing opponents a batting average of .237 (18th), have a WHIP of 1.27 (18th), and have an ERA of 3.90 (20th). George Kirby is scheduled to start Thursday. Kirby made his MLB debut on May fifth of this season. In his two big league games, Kirby has gone 0-0 with an ERA of 0.90 and has given up seven hits, one earned run, and struck out eight batters in 10.0 innings.   

Boston Red Sox Betting Analysis

Prior to the conclusion of Boston's game against Houston on Wednesday, the Red Sox are 14-22 SU, 18-18 ATS, and have an O/U record of 11-20-5. The total has gone over in 14 of their last 19 games when playing an opponent from the American League West division. The Red Sox are 1-6 SU in their last seven home games and 5-10 SU at home this season. Boston went 4-3 SU last season against the Mariners.  

The Red Sox are having an extremely disappointing season at the plate. As a team Boston has a batting average of .238 (14th), on base percentage of .294 (24th), slugging percentage of .365 (19th), and have scored 136 runs (24th). The third baseman has been Boston’s best hitter with a batting average of .333 (50-150), seven home runs, and 20 RBIs. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been productive as well with a batting average of .338 (45-133), three home runs, and 15 RBIs.  

Boston’s bullpen has been a bit better than the offense, but not by much. As a team they are allowing opponents a batting average of .226 (10th), have a WHIP of 1.19 (11th), and have an ERA of 3.87 (18th). The left-hander Rich Hill is expected to take the mound Thursday. Hill is 1-1 in six games this season with an ERA of 2.89 and has allowed 24 hits, nine earned runs, and struck out 21 batters in 28.0 innings of work. In his one outing against Seattle last season, Hill struck out five batters in 5.0 innings while giving up six hits and four earned runs.  

Key Players to Watch

  • SEA: J.P. Crawford - SS (Last Game: 1-4)
  • SEA: Julio Rodriguez - OF (Last Game: 0-4)
  • BOS: Xander Bogaerts - SS (Last Game: 1-4, HR, R, RBI)
  • BOS: Rafael Devers - 3B (Last Game: 2-3, 3B, 2B, R, RBI, BB)

Probable Pitchers

  • SEA: George Kirby - RHP (0-0, 0.90 ERA, 8 K, 0.80 WHIP)
  • BOS: Rich Hill - LHP (1-1, 2.89 ERA, 21 K, 1.11 WHIP)

Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox Betting Conclusion

Both teams have faced similar struggles on both sides of the ball this season. I do expect both teams to struggle offensively, but think that both bullpens will have solid outings. For this reason, I like the total to go under here. I would lean towards the Mariners if I had to pick a side, but will let a game or two play out to see what direction this series is headed. Backing the under.