Boston Red Sox - San Diego Padres

Red Sox ace-lefty Drew Pomeranz returns to Petco Park Monday for the first time since spending the first half of the season as a member of the Padres. Boston, which is 1 game back in the American League East following a series win against the A's, hopes Pomeranz delivers a performance that shows why it traded for him in the first place, and finally win a game for Boston.  Pomeranz was an All-Star this season with San Diego, posting a 2.47 ERA over his first 17 starts and leading to his trade to the contending Red Sox on July 14. Opponents hit just .203 against Pomeranz in his 47 2/3 innings at Petco Park this season. The Padres will rebound with veteran righty Edwin Jackson.  The 32-year-old was acquired by the Padres following the Pomeranz deal, making his first start three days later. He posted a 3.62 ERA in his first five starts, including throwing 7 scoreless innings against the Pirates August 10, but he has been hit hard in his three starts since, allowing 18 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings during that span.  With that, I am taking Boston Red Sox straight up on the Money Line (ML) [No runs]. 

UPDATE September 06, 2016 - FINAL Result: Boston Red Sox 1-2  San Diego Padres:  Drew Pomeranz returned to Petco Park for the first time since representing the Padres in the All-Star Game. But his former teammate, Edwin Jackson, was the one who pitched like an All-Star in this Labor Day matinee Monday, firing a gem that led the Padres to a 2-1 WIN over the Red Sox. Thanks to Jackson's brilliance, which included 11 strikeouts and NO runs allowed in seven innings, the Red Sox were denied in their quest to tie the Blue Jays for first place in the American League East - they very surprisingly lost the game.  After the stunning loss, Boston holds the top Wild Card spot only by 1-one game over Baltimore.