The set-up: The Red Sox started winning while the Yanks began to struggle and Boston took over the AL East lead. However, while the Red Sox still own first-place in the division (Boston leads Tampa Bay by 2 1/2 games and New York by 3 1/2), they are just 5-8 since the team's six-game winning streak was snapped on July 5. Boston continued to just "spin its wheels" completing an eight-game homestand coming out of the break at just 4-4. The Red Sox open a three-game series Friday in Anaheim against the Angels, who had dropped seven of nine before winning two of their last three. Mike Trout has homered in back-to-back contests to highlight his five-game hitting streak, which has helped the Angels stay in that tightly-bunched group of teams fighting for the AL's two wild card sport (Angels are currently 3 1/2 games out of the final spot).

The pitching matchup: Chris Sale (11-4 & 2.59 ERA) will go tonight for Boston and Ricky Nolasco (4-10 & 4.82 ERA) for LA. Sale recorded his 13th double-digit strikeout performance on Saturday when he fanned a season high-tying 13 in 7 2/3 scoreless innings but settled for a no-decision versus the New York Yankees (NY won 4-1 in 16 inn.). All of a sudden, Sale has suffered from a lack of run support, as Saturday's outing marked the third in the last six that Boston has scored either one or no runs for him. Nolasco allowed just one run on two hits in seven innings of a no-decision versus Tampa Bay in his last outing but his 2017 season has been ugly, as the Angels are 5-14 in all of his starts, giving him MLB's seventh-worst moneyline mark (minus-$819). Nolasco owns a 3-2 mark with a 5.68 ERA in seven career starts versus Boston (teams are 5-2?).

The pick: Sale should get support here as his teammates draw the struggling Nolasco plus Sale is 5-0 with a 1.45 ERA in six career starts against the Angels. Make the Red Sox a 6* play.