The Red Sox play in a much harder division than the Reds. Yet they have a far superior record to the Reds.

Boston is above .500 in its last seven games. The Reds have dropped nine of their past 11 games and their pitching has been terrible.

Red Sox starter Bello has shown flashes of his high ceiling and this is astep down for him as he's gone against the Yankees, Twins, Astros, Brewers and Blue Jays twice in six of his last eight starts.

Raphael Devers should lead the way in this series with his 26 home runs and 82 RBI, which both lead the Red Sox. The third baseman has had six hits over the last three games with three RBI including four hits in six at-bats on Sunday against Kansas City.