Following a surprising trade that sent longtime Boston Red Sox star Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants, the slugger is set to face his former team for the first time in a weekend series at the Giants’ home field. The Friday night matchup, with the first pitch at 10:15 p.m. ET, will highlight Devers’ first game against the Red Sox and is expected to draw significant attention.
For those interested in MLB betting, the game presents an opportunity to leverage current sportsbook promos with promising player prop bets and odds, as forecasted by the SportsLine Projection Model, which runs 10,000 simulations for every matchup.
Starting Pitchers Set the Stage
San Francisco’s starting pitcher will be Hayden Birdsong, a 23-year-old right-hander who holds a 3-1 record and a 2.79 ERA. Birdsong has impressed since being promoted to the rotation late in May and boasts a strong 1.78 ERA at home. Betting markets have set his strikeout over/under at 5.5, with the odds favoring the Under at +120, aligning with the model’s projection of 5.3 strikeouts.
On the Boston side, rookie Hunter Dobbins will get the start. Dobbins carries a 4-1 record with a 3.74 ERA and has secured wins against the Yankees in his last two outings. While still developing, Dobbins shows considerable promise as a potential mid-rotation asset. His strikeout over/under is 3.5, with the Over slightly favored at -135 odds.
Rafael Devers Among Top Offensive Threats
Among players expected to impact the scoreboard, Rafael Devers leads as the favorite to hit a home run with odds at +310. Other notable hitters include Wilyer Abreu (+400), Jarren Duran (+425), Mike Yastrzemski (+450), Willy Adames (+550), Heliot Ramos (+550), Marcelo Mayer (+550), and Roman Anthony (+650).
Additional betting options featuring Devers include getting one or more hits at -220, two or more total bases at +110, one or more RBIs at +140, and a combined prop for multiple hits, home runs, and RBIs at -125. The SportsLine Projection Model assigns a strong rating of four stars out of five for Devers’ prospects of exceeding 1.5 total bases and 0.5 RBIs.
Game Predictions and Betting Insights
The Giants start as -131 favorites on the money line, meaning a bettor would need to wager $131 to win $100, while the Red Sox enter as +110 underdogs. The projected total runs for the game are set at 7.5.
According to the SportsLine Projection Model’s simulations, San Francisco wins 59% of the time, making the Giants’ money line a valuable pick. However, Boston is expected to cover a +1.5 run line in 65% of simulations, offering bettors an alternative route.
The model forecasts a close game with a projected score of Giants 4.6 and Red Sox 4.1, reflecting a competitive matchup.
What to Expect From This Key Series
This first encounter between Rafael Devers and his former team adds an emotional element to an already compelling rivalry, with both teams eager to strengthen their positions in the standings. Devers’ performance could prove pivotal, not only for his personal vindication but also for the Giants’ offensive output.
Pitching matchups between Birdsong and Dobbins will be closely observed as these young arms aim to solidify their roles. The betting projections and player prop opportunities provide fans and bettors with multiple ways to engage with the game beyond the traditional contests, promising an intriguing Friday night in the MLB.