Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction: Should You Fade Brayan Bello, Spencer Strider?
The Boston Red Sox play the Atlanta Braves tonight on ESPN. Handicapper Krabs explains why you should fade Brayan Bello and Spencer Strider. Read on to get his prediction for the game.
Krabs - July 26, 2023, 4:08 PM EDT
5 minBoston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction: Should You Fade Brayan Bello, Spencer Strider?
Spencer Strider might be 11-3, but he hasn’t pitched like it of late. The 24-year-old flamethrower has allowed nine earned runs over his last two starts. To make matters worse, he was facing the struggling Arizona Diamondbacks lineup and underwhelming Chicago White Sox lineup in those two outings. Tonight, on ESPN, he will face a much tougher assignment… shutting the Boston Red Sox offense down at Fenway Park.
Red Sox vs. Braves Date, Time, Where to Watch
- Date: July 26, 2023
- Time: 7:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction
The Red Sox are quietly seven games over .500, only 1.5 games back of a Wildcard spot. They are one of the streakiest teams in baseball. When they’re hot, Boston is nearly unbeatable, but when they’re cold, they are a tough team to watch. It looks like Boston’s offense is heating back up, as they’ve scored 21 runs over their last three games. This is an offense I want to back: I don’t care if they’re facing Spencer Strider.
Strider hasn’t looked like himself in his last few outings. His strikeouts are up, but he’s allowed more hard contact in July than he has all season. Strider has limited the walks, which was an issue earlier in the season, but maybe that’s why he was so effective in the first place. Strider’s “wild” tendencies on the mound have led to great success for the converted reliever. It seems like he’s made this change on purpose, looking to limit the walks that have cost him at times this year, but it hasn’t worked in his favor. Tonight, as he faces the 21st most patient team in baseball in a hitter-friendly ballpark if Strider fills the zone too much, he will get roughed up for his third consecutive start.
It’s no secret that Atlanta owns one of if not the best overall offense in baseball. I’m not expecting Strider to be the only starting pitcher who struggles tonight. Brayan Bello has looked great this season, but he’s been roughed up in his last three outings, similar to Strider. Both of these young arms will be centerpieces in each respective team’s starting rotation for the foreseeable future, but as they’re both limping into this matchup tonight, we’re presented with a great opportunity to fade them.
This total look high at first glance, with Bello and Strider, slated to take the mound. Don’t be fooled or scared off by this high total, and it’s set at 10 for a reason. These two young pitchers have struggled mightily in July, and until they turn it around, continue to fade them both. Bet the over, and enjoy the show; this bet should cash by the seventh inning stretch.
Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves Pick
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