Boston's Josh Winckowski is getting the start on Sunday in an opener role as the Red Sox will be going with a modified bullpen game. In years past, you probably wanted to stay away from Boston in this spot. So far in 2024, the Red Sox have earned the benefit of the doubt. The hiring of pitching coach Andrew Bailey has produced great results over the first month of the season. Boston's pitchers are holding opposing hitters to a .222 batting average (No. 4 in MLB) with a .279 weighted on-base average (No. 1). Boston's pitchers have generated the most strikeouts in the league thus far while allowing the fifth-fewest walks. When opponents do make contact, it hasn't been hard contact because the Red Sox are top-5 in hard-hit rate allowed and average exit velocity allowed. At +130, we're comfortable with whoever the Red Sox want to throw out there on Sunday. Both Friday and Saturday's starting pitcher each went 6.0 innings, so Boston's bullpen is in fine shape heading into this one. Pittsburgh's Martin Perez has performed well this season, but three of his four outings have come against the Marlins, Nationals and Tigers. In the words of Shania Twain, "That Don't Impress Me Much." In his lone start against a lineup with a pulse, Perez gave up three runs on six hits with two walks in 5.2 innings in a loss to the Mets.