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Reds vs. Red Sox Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, May 31 (Boston Lineup Bounces Back)

By Joe Summers

The Red Sox have won six consecutive starts by Michael Wacha as they host the Reds today
The Red Sox have won six consecutive starts by Michael Wacha as they host the Reds today / Adam Glanzman/GettyImages
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The 23-26 Boston Red Sox host the 16-31 Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a quick two-game series tonight at 7:10 PM EST.

Boston got hammered 10-0 yesterday by the Baltimore Orioles and want to put that embarrassing loss behind them quickly. They've still won nine of their last 13, however, and send Michael Wacha to the mound for today's contest.

Wacha has a perfect 3-0 record and 2.83 ERA over seven starts but is coming off his worst outing of the year, giving up five runs in 4.1 innings to the White Sox.

Cincinnati counters with Luis Castillo, who hasn't given up more than three runs in any of his four starts and has improved with each outing.

Can Castillo keep improving to give Cincy a road win, or will Boston bounce back after yesterday's meltdown?

Let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to help pick a winner in this Reds vs Red Sox matchup:

Reds vs Red Sox Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

  • Reds +1.5 (-160)
  • Red Sox -1.5 (+130)

Moneyline:

  • Reds: +125
  • Red Sox: -135

Total:

  • 8.5 (Over -120/Under +100)

Reds vs Red Sox Prediction and Pick

Despite getting shut out yesterday, Boston is still obliterating the baseball this month. They're second in MLB in OPS in May behind only the Dodgers, and will easily be the best lineup Luis Castillo has faced this season.

Castillo has done a nice job preventing damage but has only made it through the sixth inning once, so the Reds' atrocious bullpen plays a huge role today. Cincy's relievers rank third-worst in MLB with a 4.82 ERA, so that's a dangerous proposition to trust them against such a potent Red Sox lineup.

Michael Wacha doesn't go deep into games either, and Boston's bullpen isn't much better than Cincinnati's. As a result, I'm a bit surprised to see this total so low. The under has hit in six of the last seven Reds games as their offense is faltering, but I could see either lineup having a big enough day to carry this total over.

Boston has won six straight Wacha starts, with five of them coming by multiple runs. I see the same happening today as the Red Sox lineup gets revenge for a lackluster performance yesterday.

Pick: Red Sox -1.5 (+130) and Over 8.5 (-120)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

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