The Boston Red Sox should get a boost next week in MLB odds with the return of second baseman Dustin Pedroia. The Red Sox have stayed in the American League East race while their former MVP second baseman has been out of the lineup but to make a move on New York and Tampa Bay they need him back. Boston could get Pedroia back for Tuesday’s game against the Angels in baseball odds.
MLB odds will likely favor Boston in Tuesday’s game as they are at home against the Los Angeles Angels. The plan was for Pedroia to play for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday and Sunday and join the Red Sox on Tuesday at Fenway Park. The last time Pedroia played was on June 25th in San Francisco when he got hurt. He is hitting .292 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs in 73 games this year.
It is a very important time for the Red Sox as they try and catch New York and Tampa Bay. When Pedroia returns he will get to make a big impact as the Red Sox host the Angels, Blue Jays and Mariners in a big home stand. The Red Sox are second in the league in runs per game and second in the league in home runs. The addition of Pedroia to the lineup will be a big boost though and take the pressure off of David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre. Boston have needed to score runs this season to stay in the race because their pitching has struggled. Boston is 19th in the league in ERA which is a huge surprise. Getting Pedroia back will improve the offense but his return may not help the pitching and that is where Boston needs to make some improvements if they are to make the playoffs.
The Red Sox are within striking range of New York and Tampa Bay but they have very little margin for error. The return of Pedroia on the home stand will be important as Boston needs to play extremely well in winnable games against Los Angeles, Toronto and Seattle. The schedule is very favorable for Boston over the next month so they will need to take advantage.