Detroit @ BOSTON
BOSTON -1½ +144 over Detroit

BEST LINES: Pinnacle -1½ +144 Bet365 -1½ +140 SportsInteraction -1½ +130 5DIMES -1½ +140

Posted at 11:15 AM EST.

7:10 PM EST. Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez will avoid surgery for now, but he will rest for three to four weeks with a right knee subluxation. Rodriguez received a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, which revealed no ligament damage. However, he could require surgery at some point, which would cost him five or six months. His next turn in the rotation (and perhaps several more), is expected to be filled by Brian Johnson, who makes this start. Johnson left his last start for AAA-Pawtucket on June 3 under strange circumstances. What was variously reported as a calf rupture, a calf strain, and a hamstring strain, is now being described as a loosely compacted part of the pitching mound which gave way while he was pitching. He did successfully complete a 33 pitch bullpen session on June 6 and note that his last major league start (May 27) was a complete game shutout against the Mariners.

Johnson was a first-round pick of Boston in 2012. He has overcome a variety of maladies throughout his career, including an elbow injury as well as anxiety in 2016. He has a big body and also has the pitch mix to succeed. None of his offerings are considered plus but he sequences his pitches well and changes speeds with poise, self-confidence and composure. Johnson induces groundballs with his 87-91 mph sinker that he locates low in the zone.

Readers of this space know we began discussing Jordan Zimmermann’s declining skills well over two years ago, well ahead of anyone else. Zimmermann is 5-4 after 11 starts this season but he could just as easily be 0-11. Zimmermann brings a grim 1.56 WHIP into this start to go along with his 5.98/6.22 ERA/xERA split. His 30% groundball rate is the third worst rate in the game among qualified starters. Zimmermann throws straight fastballs right down Broadway and then closes his eyes and hopes for the best. With 39 K’s in 62 frames, an 8% swing and miss rate and a ton of hard hit balls in play, it’s not a matter of how well he pitches, it’s a matter of how many runs he’ll give up before Manager Brad Ausmus is forced to turn to his vomit-inducing pen. The Red Sox have a great chance to put up a bunch of crooked numbers, giving us a great possibility of cashing this ticket.

Open an account today at Pinnacle Sports and take advantage of their -104 style pricing on sides and totals, which is 60% better than other sportsbooks.



Our Pick

BOSTON -1½ +144 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.88)

Baltimore -1½ +124 over L.A. Angels
San Francisco +100 over San Diego
Toronto +120 over Tampa Bay
Washington +135 over Cincinnati
San Diego under 83½ -105
Boston under 79½ -110