Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 6/24/2022

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH

Where to watch: NESN, Bally Sports Great Lakes

DraftKings: Red Sox -115, Guardians -105

BetMGM: NL

Caesars: NL

Red Sox: 39-31

Guardians: 36-28

So, I’ve said this before, but it lends repeating every now and then. You ever look at the MLB standings one day without looking too much into them and you wonder how in the world things got to be where they are? Because here’s my question for the day: When did the Cleveland Guardians take first place in the American League Central?

Because clearly, things have been lost in the shuffle to where the Minnesota Twins – who were playing much better than expected – have fallen off with the Guardians now in first place. Thanks to their two-game sweep in Minnesota, with wins of 6-5 and 11-10, it is Terry Francona’s club that may have finally found its potential and are in first place.

They will now be rewarded by facing the Boston Red Sox, who are on a four-game winning streak – have won five of six overall, and six consecutive series – and are coming off a three-game sweep over the Detroit Tigers this week. Clearly, something’s got to give now. The surging Sox against the surging Guardians, who now return home after the first time in a while.

What we need to discuss when talking about the Guardians is the fact that they came into this two-game tilt with the Twins fresh off winning two of three over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Dodger Stadium, I think the first sign where we can look at this team and start taking them seriously. But thanks to a four-run ninth inning, Cleveland was able to make the comeback on Minnesota and get the shocking 11-10 win.

Oscar Gonzalez led the way with four RBI, including a game-tying two-run single in the ninth, and then scored on the sacrifice fly to give the Guardians the lead and eventual win. When you look at the night Minnesota had, led by two homers from Carlos Correa, it’s almost a miracle they found their way to win.

"Crazy, crazy game," Francona said.

That’s one way to put it.

The Guardians have benefited greatly from the All-Star production of Jose Ramirez, now batting over .300 and closing in on 20 home runs. The only concern with that was if anyone else in the lineup would be able to put in the work. They’ve gotten that with Steven Kwan at the leadoff spot, Amed Rosario at shortstop, and the likes of Gonzalez and Andres Gimenez driving in runs.

And even during an off night from young ace Triston McKenzie, the Guardians found a way to win thanks to the bulk of their bullpen.

But now the Guardians return home, in first place, playing a very good Boston team that’s trying to get back to the top of the AL East even though that’s a longshot right now due to the world domination put on display from the New York Yankees. But the Red Sox are coming in off a 6-2 win over the Tigers that saw the dominant pitching performances from Boston get it done.

Michael Wacha went six innings and struck out seven, while Boston also completed the sweep in those gorgeous blue and yellow jerseys. By law, they must wear them for the rest of the season. Rob Refsnyder hit a two-run homer, and Jarren Duran continued his hot start to his MLB run with a two-run double to cap a four-run third.

"So many parts of my career early on I wasn't excited or happy with how I was playing," Refsnyder said. "I think the Red Sox really believe you get to the big leagues, you're not a finished product, you can keep getting better. ... They have really been helping me develop still at 31. Lucky to have that."

Boston has a lineup full of hitters that can rake at Fenway Park, but we’ll need to see if that’ll translate on the road. Nick Pivetta, who has had a strong season at 7-5 with a 3.31 ERA, is facing Guardians right-hander Cal Quantrill, who is 4-4 with a 3.77 ERA.

I think the Guardians will find a way to get the crowd going for this one. They want to win and see their team win, but I think Boston keeps the foot on the gas at least on Friday, and I think the Red Sox will find a way to get it done. Red Sox win 7-5

Red Sox are 34-14 in June the past three seasons.

Red Sox are 6-1 when playing with a day off this season.

Guardians are 15-4 in June this season.

Guardians are 74-65 at home the past three seasons.

Red Sox:
Jarren Duran (L) CF
Rob Refsnyder (R) RF
J.D. Martinez (R) DH
Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
Alex Verdugo (L) LF
Trevor Story (R) 2B
Christian Vazquez (R) C
Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B
Jeter Downs (R) 3B
SP - Nick Pivetta

Guardians:
Steven Kwan (L) LF
Amed Rosario (R) SS
Jose Ramirez (S) 3B
Josh Naylor (L) DH
Oscar Gonzalez (R) RF
Andres Gimenez (L) 2B
Owen Miller (R) 1B
Austin Hedges (R) C
Myles Straw (R) CF
SP - Cal Quantrill

Batting average: Xander Bogaerts -- .335

Home runs: Rafael Devers -- 16

RBI: Trevor Story -- 48

Wins: Nick Pivetta -- 7

ERA: Nick Pivetta -- 3.31

Batting average: Jose Ramirez -- .302

Home runs: Jose Ramirez -- 16

RBI: Jose Ramirez -- 62

Wins: Triston McKenzie -- 4

ERA: Shane Bieber -- 3.00