MLB Odds: Five Red Sox Bets To Make Right Now As Boston Rolls

It seems the Red Sox's playoff odds are improving by the day

The Red Sox are winners of six straight series and have been hot lately at the perfect time.

We are less than a month away from the All-Star break and the American League pennant chase is starting to take shape. The Yankees are leading the way and practically running away with the AL East. But there are some other teams who will be in the mix to knock off the pinstripes once we get into the postseason, and that list includes the Red Sox.

Here are five bets to make right now if you are a Boston betting backer.

Futures
You can find value in a few MLB futures bets right now for Boston. Currently, you can grab the Red Sox to make the playoffs at -115 at BetMGM. Although you could have capitalized on better odds a month ago, it’s still decent value at -115 to bet on this team to survive the crowded wild-card field and make it into the postseason. If the playoffs began today, the Red Sox would be in thanks to that final wild-card spot.

But, when you look ahead to the upcoming schedule, Boston has an opportunity to put itself on more steady ground. They play the Guardians and Blue Jays head-to-head next week. Plus, both the Rays and Yankees come to town before the All-Star break. Not only do I believe the Red Sox will help cement their current playoff picture, but I also think these series will serve notice that this team will be a force to be reckoned with once in the postseason.

That’s why the next futures bet I like is Boston to win the AL pennant at 15-1 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Resist the urge to bet this team to win the World Series at 35-1 (also at DraftKings). Although that price is tempting, I think the road to the World Series is a better bet. The AL is so crowded in that wild-card race, as well as these division races, that ultimately all these teams will be battle-tested and weathered by the time October arrives. The familiarity of playing the Rays, Twins, White Sox, Guardians and Blue Jays will prove to be an advantage. As opposed to having less intel on whoever the Sox would potentially play in a World Series from the NL.

What do you think?  Leave a comment.

Game Bets
There are two bets Wednesday night that I like as the Red Sox try to complete the sweep of the Tigers. First, let’s start on the moneyline. This line opened as Red Sox -140 and was bet down to -135, though it’s currently -140 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Five cents doesn’t seem like much, but it always adds up in the sports betting world. So, pounce on it if you can find Boston at -135. In addition to the side on this game, I’m also going to bet the total. This number has seen movement, as well. It opened at 9 in most sportsbooks and now has been bet down to 8.5 and 8 in some shops. Red Sox star Rafael Devers will rest for this game, which helped drive down the number. Grab the Under 8.5 now at -110 while you can.

Player Props
My final bet is to continue to ride the hot streak of Trevor Story. We’ve seen Story get hot before and put up video game-like offensive numbers for a month. Although he hasn’t been consistent at the plate all season yet, there is no denying that Story is on a heater right now. He is making plays all over the field, both at the plate and with his glove. I bet on Story to hit a home run Tuesday night, and I’d go right back to that well again Wednesday night, with the number as high as +440 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Story leads the team with 48 RBIs this season. His home runs are the reason why. Among the 11 dingers he’s hit, four are three-run shots, and there’s also a grand slam for good measure.

About the Author

Travis Thomas

Travis Thomas comes to NESN as a longtime Washington, D.C., and Baltimore sports media host. He hosted several shows on NBC Sports Washington, 106.7 The Fan and The Team 980. He also hosted several podcasts in the D.C. market.