Red Sox vs Diamondbacks Prediction & Best Bet (May 26): Chris Sale Keeps Wheeling, Dealing

The Boston Red Sox hope to end their losing streak when they begin a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, May 26. Boston can’t afford to fall further behind in the AL East race, making tonight’s Red Sox vs Diamondbacks tilt an important game for the road team.

The @Dbacks announced starters for the weekend series against the Red Sox: Pfaadt, TBA and Merrill Kelly.

— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) May 25, 2023

The Red Sox enter tonight’s showdown on a four-game losing skid, most recently losing 7-3 to the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks return home after a 6-5 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies two nights ago ending their four-game winning streak.

Can the Red Sox get back on track with a victory at Chase Field? Or will the Diamondbacks make their hometown return in a victorious manner?

Here’s a look at everything you know heading into tonight’s Red Sox vs Diamondbacks showdown, from the latest betting odds to a prediction with the best betting recommendation, courtesy of Betting News.

Boston Red Sox vs Arizona Diamondbacks Game Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Boston Red Sox (26-24, 11-13 Away) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (29-21, 14-10 Home)
• Venue & Location: Chase Field (Phoenix, Arizona)
• Date: Friday, May 26, 2023
• Game Time: 1:10 p.m. Eastern Time
• Red Sox vs Diamondbacks TV Info: MLB Extra Innings, New England Sports Network, Bally Sports Arizona

Red Sox vs Diamondbacks Game Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Friday, May 26 at 4:39 p.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Boston Red Sox -1.5 (+118)
• Arizona Diamondbacks +1.5 (-142)

Over/Under

• Over 9 Runs (+100)
• Under 9 Runs (-122)

Moneyline

• Boston Red Sox -142
• Arizona Diamondbacks +120

Red Sox vs Diamondbacks Starting Pitchers

• Red Sox: Chris Sale (9 starts — 4-2, 5.01 ERA)
• Diamondbacks: Brandon Pfaadt (4 starts —0-1, 7.65 ERA)

Red Sox vs Diamondbacks Betting Trends

• Boston is 11-3 straight up in its last 14 games against Arizona.
• Arizona is 9-3 straight up in its last 12 games played in May.
• The total has hit the under in six of Boston’s last seven road games.
• The total has hit the over in 14 of Arizona’s last 20 games against the American League.

Red Sox vs Diamondbacks Game Preview

The Red Sox can’t afford to continue their losing ways as this three-game series kicks off. Fortunately, a matchup against the Diamondbacks could be exactly what the doctor ordered.

After all, the Red Sox have absolutely owned the Diamondbacks, winning 11 of the past 14 matchups between these two clubs. On top of that, Boston is 8-3 against the spread (ATS) on the road against NL teams this season, whereas Arizona is just 4-4 ATS overall against the American League.

If the Red Sox want to continue their dominance, it’s going to take a big performance from starting pitcher Chris Sale. It’s no secret that the veteran lefty had issues to begin the 2023 MLB season, he’s been much better over the last month or so.

Sale is 3-0 over his last four starts after going 1-2 in his first five. He’s been extremely efficient over his last quartet of appearances, pitching to a 2.30 ERA while striking out 32 batters over 27 1/3 innings. He’s also held three of his past four opponents to just two or fewer runs.

A Chris Sale 98-mph K for your viewing pleasure. pic.twitter.com/2dg4M6HrN3

— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 21, 2023

Meanwhile, the Red Sox get to face Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt. It’s a juicy matchup for the road team as the 24-year-old hurler has struggled to find his footing in the Majors.

Pfaadt — Baseball America’s No. 27-ranked prospect in the preseason — is 0-1 in his first four career starts, tallying a 7.65 ERA and 1.550 WHIP along the way. He’s allowing 10.4 runs per nine innings and has surrendered seven home runs over just 20 innings.

It won’t be easy for Pfaadt to beat the Red Sox. Boston is great at getting production from its batters, averaging 5.24 runs (No. 4 in MLB), 8.94 hits (No. 7), and 1.18 home runs (No. 13) per game while recording a .262 batting average (No. 6).

With the Diamondbacks only scoring an average of 2.67 runs in Pfaadt’s, it’s clear that they don’t have much confidence when he starts. With his confidence likely low, I see the Red Sox taking advantage of the rookie’s struggles.

Red Sox vs Diamondbacks Game Prediction and Picks

Red Sox vs Diamondbacks Prediction: Red Sox 7, Diamondbacks 5

Red Sox vs Diamondbacks: Red Sox ML (Best Value: -142 at BetOnline) & Red Sox to Score Over 4.5 Runs (Best Value: -112 at BetOnline)

While momentum isn’t on their side, I predict that the Red Sox will be victorious at Chase Field. It’s usually an uphill battle for the Diamondbacks whenever Pfaadt starts and with how solid the road team’s batters have been, the Red Sox are in a good spot to put their losing ways in the rearview mirror.

Another Red Sox vs Diamondbacks bet worth making is taking the over on Boston’s 4.5-run total. Again, the Red Sox average the fourth-most runs in the Majors and are averaging 6.7 in their previous 10 matchups with the D-Backs. Taking Pfaadt’s struggles into account, I don’t see Boston struggling to score tonight.

Other Boston vs Arizona Resources

• Red Sox vs Diamondbacks Consensus Picks, Score Projections & Betting Stats

More MLB Stories on Betting News (May 26)

• MLB Best Bets (5/26): 3 MUST BET Props
• Prediction & Best Bets Pirates vs Mariners (5/26)