This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
Previous article (8/13): 3-1, +1.52 RW Bucks
Season: 54-54-5, -3.12 RW Bucks
We have a couple of key divisional battles that I'm focusing on Wednesday where I'm banking on strong hitting and pitching potentially leading both road underdogs to upset wins at appealing prices.
Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees 7:00 PM ET
Starting Pitchers: Nick Pivetta vs. Andrew Heaney
The Pick: Red Sox Over 2.5 runs – first 5 innings (+100 on DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Secondary Pick: Red Sox moneyline (+105 on Caesars Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Heaney has already given up eight homers over his first three starts with the Yankees, including five at Yankee Stadium. Current Red Sox bats have been pounding the former Angels southpaw for some time as well, as evidenced by their collective .307/.356/.490 slash line against him across 62 plate appearances. Pivetta has been at his most effective on the road (3.09 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 10.1 K/9) as well, with all these factors giving the Red Sox a reasonable shot at some runs and a win.
Milwaukee Brewers at St. Louis Cardinals 7:45 PM ET
Starting Pitchers: Freddy Peralta vs. Jack Flaherty
The Pick: Brewers Under 1.5 runs – first 5 innings (+105 on DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1 RW Buck
Secondary Pick: Cardinals moneyline (+106 on FanDuel Sportsbook) 1 RW Buck
Peralta and Flaherty both boast ERAs well south of 3.00, as well as a combined 18-4 record. Moreover, Flaherty has been practically unhittable at home with a 4-0 mark, 1.44 ERA and 0.72 WHIP, and he shut out Milwaukee over six innings in his one prior encounter with the Brewers. Runs should be at a premium here if both starters live up to their usual standards and each squad's strong bullpens also follow suit.