ESPN Sunday Night Baseball Preview: Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels

The Boston Red Sox (54-35) and Los Angeles Angels (42-45) will close out a three-game American League series on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball at Angel Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET

Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels

The Boston Red Sox have won their last seven games as a road underdog of +110 to +150

Boston had its five-game winning streak snapped in a 9-7 loss to Los Angeles as -101 road underdogs Saturday night, while going OVER the total for the first time in seven contests. The Red Sox were unable to hold a 7-3 lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, which could lead to a letdown in the series finale. “We’ve had games like this already this year,” commented Red Sox manager John Farrell. “Our guys are a veteran group.” Boston is 26-27 as road underdogs of +100 to +125 the last two-plus seasons, with the UNDER going 33-18-2 in that situation.

Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey (6-5, 2.81 ERA) has led the club to back-to-back victories, including a 4-1 home win over the San Diego Padres last time out, as he allowed just a single run and six hits over eight frames. The right-hander is 2-4 with a 4.17 ERA in eight road games, surrendering seven home runs in 45.1 combined innings. In five career games versus the Angels, Lackey has tallied a 4-1 record and 4.32 ERA.

Los Angeles has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, with the OVER going 3-2 in that span. The Angels have tallied seven comebacks in their last 10 wins, while picking up the franchise’s first win when trailing by four or more runs in the ninth inning since May 27, 2005. Outfielder Josh Hamilton is batting .375 with nine RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak, which will likely continue due to his impressive numbers against Lackey. Los Angeles is 4-9 as home favorites of -125 to -150 this season, with the OVER going 8-4-1 in that situation.

Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver (2-4, 3.79 ERA) has led the club to back-to-back wins, including a 5-1 home victory over the St. Louis Cardinals last time out, as he allowed one run and six hits over seven frames. The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.48 ERA in five home games, issuing five walks and striking out 26 batters in 31 combined innings. In 13 career games versus the Red Sox, Weaver has compiled a losing 3-5 record and 4.31 ERA.