Cleveland Guardians vs. Boston Red Sox July 28 Betting Preview

Thanks to some late heroics from outfielder Josh Naylor, the Cleveland Guardians (50-47) were able to take down the Boston Red Sox (49-50) on Wednesday. 

Having taken two of three thus far, Cleveland will look to take the finale Thursday at Fenway Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 pm ET.

Tied six to six in the ninth inning, Naylor was able to deposit his 14th home run of the season over the Green Monster in left field. Nolan Jones also had a great night with three hits and three runs scored.

Bobby Dalbec had the best day of any Red Sox hitter. He finished two for three with two home runs, five runs batted in, and two runs scored.

July 28 Betting Odds Guardians vs. Red Sox

Cleveland is the slight favorite despite playing on the road Thursday. They are -118 to win while the Red Sox moneyline sits at +100. The runline features Boston +1.5 (-164), and the over/under for total runs is nine.

The Guards are just 1.5 games back on the Minnesota Twins. Login to betJACK Training Camp to practice betting on the Guardians in Ohio for free right now!

Pitching Matchup

The Guardians will look to 24-year-old righty Triston McKenzie to secure the series win in this one. In 18 games, he is 7-6 with a 3.11 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, and he has 100 strikeouts in 107 innings. In his last three games, he has given up just one run in a combined 19.2 innings.

Boston will turn to 26-year-old righty Kutter Crawford to try to get a series split. In 14 games, he is 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and has 48 strikeouts in 42 innings. This will be just his sixth start of the season.

Guardians Closing in on AL Central

After winning seven of their last ten games, the Cleveland Guardians all of a sudden find themselves just 1.5 games back of the Minnesota Twins. Facing a struggling Red Sox team, Cleveland hopes to pick up another win and hopefully pull one game closer to the AL Central lead.

A handful of Guardians' players do have some at bats against Kutter Crawford. Franmil Reyes has had the most success going two for two with a home run. In total, the Guardians' hitters are five for eight against the righty.

Cleveland's best hitter against righties this season has been third baseman Jose Ramirez. In 267 at bats versus righties, he is hitting .300/.374/.599 with 16 home runs and 66 runs batted in.

Thursday Could Be Make Or Break Game For Boston

At 49-50, the Red Sox are right on the edge of whether to be buyers or sellers. They lost eight of their last ten games, and Thursday's matchup could push them one way or another. Regardless, Boston has a tough schedule ahead as they face both the Brewers and Astros prior to the trade deadline on Tuesday.

For most Red Sox hitters, this will be their first look at Triston McKenzie. Only Rob Refsnyder has an at bat against him, going one for four with a home run in his career.

Boston's best hitter continues to be third baseman Rafael Devers. The All-Star is hitting .324/.379/.602 with 22 home runs, 55 runs batted in, and 62 runs this season.

Guardians In Prime Spot To Take The Series

This is exactly the type of game Cleveland should expect to win. Guardians have the advantage on the mound with McKenzie going, and they are facing a reeling Boston team.

In fact, Boston has not only lost seven of their last eight overall, but they are 1-5 in their last six at Fenway Park.

Expect McKenzie to quiet Boston's bats, and if he can do that, the Guardians should have a good chance of earning the series win on Thursday.