Posted at 2:30 PM EST. Odds subject to change.

Pinnacle  -105 BET365 -105 Sportsinteraction -106 888Sport -105

Boston -105 over L.A. Angels

9:38 PM EST. The Red Sox rotation is getting crowded as James Paxton has returned to the lineup after a couple of rough years battling injuries, and there is an expectation that Garrett Whitlock is also close to rejoining the team after spending time on the IL due to elbow ulnar neuritis, or Cubital Tunnel Syndrome for us lay folk. Whitlock is currently working his way back at AAA-Worcester and could be back in the Sox rotation as soon as this weekend. Because of those returns, shuffling was necessary, which led to Nick Pivetta being sent to the bullpen.

Tanner Houck (RHP - BOS) could be next if everyone in the Red Sox rotation is healthy when Whitlock does come back, but he is going to get at least one more chance to show that he is worthy of being among Chris Sale, Corey Kluber, Paxton, Garrett, and Brayan Bello. Houck has been vocal that he wants to remain in the rotation, and while that decision will not be his, we respect a player who is not afraid to advocate for themselves. Houck has made his case through eight starts by posting a 3-3 record with an ERA of 5.48. That surface number is a sign of some of the unlucky fortune Houck has had this season, as his xERA is 3.94.

The Angels will answer with Jaime Barría (RHP - LAA), who is making his first start of the season after manager Phil Nevin decided to scratch tonight’s original starter, Chase Silseth. Silseth will head to the bullpen, while Barria will try to see if his tidy-looking 1.96 ERA will transfer from the bullpen to the starter’s mound. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that Barria has only thrown 58 pitches this season, so he is not likely to go deep, and there is a chance that Silseth will still see some action in this game. The Halos are favored slightly at some outlets and a toss-up at others, but regardless, this is not a 50/50 proposition, or close to it. Wrong side favored.

Finnie

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