The Boston Red Sox (104-49) will visit the Cleveland Indians (85-67) on Friday as small road favorites at sportsbooks in a battl

The Boston Red Sox (104-49) will visit the Cleveland Indians (85-67) on Friday as small road favorites at sportsbooks in a battle between two American League teams that have already clinched their respective divisions.The Red Sox won the AL East for the second year in a row on Thursday with an 11-6 road victory against the New York Yankees Matt Szczur Jersey , while the Indians have already taken home their third consecutive AL Central title. MLB betting line: The Red Sox opened as -130 favorites (wager $130 to win $100); the total is at eight runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 4.6-3.0, Indians (MLB picks on every game)Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news. Why the Red Sox can pay on the MLB linesBoston will be guarding against a potential letdown here in a possible playoff preview with ace Chris Sale (12-4, 1.92 ERA) on the mound. The 29-year-old went just three innings in his last outing on Sunday versus the New York Mets, allowing one hit with no walks and one strikeout on 42 pitches. The Red Sox are trying to squeeze a couple more starts out of Sale before the end of the regular season, and he is reportedly hoping to throw 65 pitches at Cleveland. If they can get five innings from the southpaw, they will have a shot to win. Why the Indians can pay on the MLB linesThe Indians will send their AL Cy Young candidate Trevor Bauer (12-6, 2.22 ERA) to the hill opposite Sale, and he will be coming off the disabled list. The 27-year-old suffered a lower leg fracture in mid-August and is only expected to throw a couple innings http://www.padresfanproshop.com/authentic-brad-hand-jersey , with Shane Bieber (10-4, 4.50 ERA) relieving him and likely pitching a majority of the game for Cleveland.Like Boston with Sale, Cleveland wants Bauer to simply see some game action in preparation for the playoffs, as his last start took place on August 11. He is 5-0 in his last eight outings, while Bieber has split his previous four. Smart betting pickThese teams do not have much to play for in this spot, as they wouldn't meet in the postseason until the AL Championship Series if both advance that far. That said, each of the starting pitchers will be limited, so do not expect them to play a major role in determining the final outcome.The over is 3-1-1 in the past five meetings, though, according to the OddsShark MLB Database, and the best bet is that trend continuing.MLB betting trendsThe total has gone over in four of Boston's last six games on the road.Boston is 7-3 in its last 10 games.Cleveland is 11-4 in its last 15 games when playing at home against Boston.All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner Trevor Hoffman Jersey , OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app. "He's got a long track record of being an elite teammate; a decorated, productive player on the field," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said of Pence, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. "From a standpoint of pedigree, makeup and way he goes about the game, it's consistent with the messaging of what we want this team to be about."Fair enough. But what about his recent results?Pence picked up down-ballot MVP votes as recently as 2014, but injuries and inconsistency subsequently crept in.He slashed an anemic .226/.258/.332 in 97 games with the Giants in 2018, "good" for a career-low .590 OPS, and his iconic tenure in the City by the Bay came to an ignoble end, though he finished it with a characteristically classy farewell penned in The Players' Tribune.(We'll pause while you grab your hanky.)Back to the stats, Pence'shard-contact rate Evan Longoria Jersey , per FanGraphs, sat at 30.3 percent in 2018 next to a career mark of 30.5 percent.Possibly...squint your eyes...wish upon a star...was he the victim of bad luck?Ross D. Franklin/Associated PressLikely not. Players of Pence's age don't generally enjoy career renaissances. But maybe?Pence is the type of dude who makes you want to believe.He attended Arlington High School in Texas, so there's the angleof a hometown boy on his last chance. There's also the "Hey, he changed his approach" angle.Pence did exactly that in the Dominican winter league, revamping everything from his swing to his running style."I really want to go and immerse myself in winter ball, and really feel it out and see if I can make the adjustments," Pence said, per NBC Sports Bay Area's Alex Pavlovic.The results were good but not great, with a .276 average and .704 OPS in 31 plate appearances. Not enough to prove he was back to his All-Star self, but enough for the Rangers to take a low-risk flier.Can he catch on in a crowded Rangers outfield that features Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara Andrew McCutchen Jersey , Delino DeShields, Willie Calhoun and Carlos Tocci, among others?It'll take more than likability. Scooters and speeches and sitcom cameos won't cut it.He'll have to play like the Pence of old, or something approaching it, the guy who once reeled in $90 million and bathed in bubbly and confetti with the Giants.Jeff Chiu/Associated PressIt's a long shot, no question. The counterpoint, as Pence wrote in his Players' Tribune piece: "Idefinitely wish some of the greatest times in our lives could go on forever and somehow, I believe they do."He might not deserve a spot on Texas' 25-man roster. He might not snag one. His professional baseball career could end with a whimper rather than a bang, as so many do. But it's nearly impossible to root against Hunter Pence. All statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference.