MLB: Friday's early play

Play: Boston -157 (Gonzalez vs. Lester)

Time: 1:35 p.m. ET

Reasoning: Jon Lester is in a contract year and is, not surprisingly, performing like a guy who wants to get paid. He has gone 5-1 in his last seven starts, has a 1.23 ERA and a oh-point-82 WHIP in his last three starts, has 2.92 ERA on the season, and also has a 2.92 ERA (and a 15-4 record) in 26 career starts against the Orioles. His counterpart on Friday, Miguel Gonzalez, hasn't worked more than five innings in his last three starts, which have come since his return from an oblique injury. In his last three turns Gonzalez has a 6.14 ERA and a 2.32 WHIP. In 2014 Gonzalez has a 4.56 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. The Red Sox score about a half-run more per game vs. RH at Fenway. They also banged out 16 hits in their last game.



Record: 128-93-6 (57.9%)
Bankroll: +92.50%