Thursday was a bounce-back day on the diamond. Although the Dodgers didn't plate three runs over the first five innings - naturally, they scored four in the sixth - we still hit both of our pitching props, pushing our record to 17-8 since last Monday.
Let's take a look at a couple of plays that stand out on Friday's board as we look to finish the week on a high note.
Yankees (+100) @ Red Sox (-120)
There's bad, and there's the Yankees without Aaron Judge. They have been completely lifeless at the plate since their star slugger went down with an injury, posting alarming numbers across the board.
The Yankees own a .287 xwOBA against right-handed pitching since Judge's last game on June 3. That ranks them 28th in the majors, ahead of only the Nationals and Brewers.
New York ranks dead last in base percentage during that span and, without Judge, the club doesn't possess the same sort of power.
I expect they will have a tough time against an in-form Tanner Houck. He's striking out batters at a 27% clip the past month, and his .314 xwOBA allowed is one of the better rates among Friday's projected starters.
Houck has induced grounders a whopping 50% of the time during that span and forced swinging strikes at a higher rate than all but Triston McKenzie, who's only made two starts over the past 30 days.
The Red Sox appear to be in a much better spot offensively. They slot 10th in xwOBA versus righties the last two weeks, and Domingo German ranks third last among Friday's starters in xwOBA over the past month.
I'm not sure the Red Sox offense will hit its ceiling, but Boston shouldn't need to in order to get the job done. With the way the Yankees are struggling at the dish, three or four runs should give the Red Sox a real chance to win this game.
Look for Boston to open this big divisional series with a win.
Bet: Red Sox (-120)
JP Sears under 17.5 outs (+105)
This line feels a bit too high. Sears has gone under the number in eight of 13 starts (62% of the time). Now, we're seeing plus money - against a scorching-hot offensive team, no less.
The Phillies rank second in the league in xwOBA this month, behind only the Braves. They also slot second in batting average and barrel rate. They're consistently making good, heavy contact with the ball.
Yes, their numbers are better against righties than lefties. They're still solid against the latter, though, ranking top 10 in xwOBA versus left-handers the past month.
Sears is also a very hittable arm. His FIP is nearly two runs higher than his ERA the past 30 days, suggesting he's getting better results than he deserves.
Perhaps some of that regression will come versus a Phillies offense that is hitting the cover off the ball right now. But even if Philadelphia comes down to earth a bit, Sears only averages 90 pitches per start. He can't really afford to get into much trouble - if any - if he's to complete six innings.
Kyle Schwarber over 0.5 runs (-110)
Let's double-dip in our Sears fade. Kyle Schwarber is a monster against left-handed pitching - easily the best of the bunch on the Phillies' roster. He owns a 50% hard-hit rate and has already mashed eight homers in just 103 at-bats versus lefties this season.
His ISO is nearly .300, his xwOBA sits at .369, and his 18% barrel rate is sky-high.
Schwarber should be able to get on base a couple of times. With an abundance of red-hot bats around him - and his own ability to score with one swing - I love Schwarber's chances of plating a run in this game.
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
