Tuesday MLB Interleague Betting – Red Sox vs Phillies Preview & Pick
For a team that remains very much in the American League East race, just as we thought it would be, Boston has really ridden a rollercoaster this season.
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MLB Gambling Online – Red Sox vs. Phillies Preview & Pick
Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2011
Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Broadcast: NESN, WB17
Boston Red Sox at Philadelphia Phillies Betting Lines from Sportsbook.com
Money Line: Phillies -122
Over/Under: 7
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Boston Red Sox (45-32)
Josh Beckett (6-2, 1.86)
First there was the horrific start, then a massive surge up the standings, then a bizarre stretch last week in which they lost four straight to the Padres and Pirates of all teams.
The BoSox haven’t been perfect but they’re just a half-game out of first as they prepare for a potential World Series preview matchup against Philadelphia. Josh Beckett takes the hill on Tuesday, hoping to continue his stellar season. Opponents are batting just .174 off him and his homer-rate is absurdly low. Beckett has served up just four long-flies after allowing 20-plus in 2009 and 2010.
Backing him up more than anyone else will be Adrian Gonzalez. The slugger has become every bit the superstar we all thought he would in Beantown, leading the majors by a wide margin in batting average (.361) and RBI (71).
Philadelphia Phillies (49-30)
Cliff Lee (8-5, 2.87)
The Philadelphia Phillies’ major-league-leading pitching staff continues to carry them above the National League competition. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Cliff Lee has four straight wins, back-to-back complete-game shutouts, 114 strikeouts and has arguably been the third best pitcher on his own team.
But is the Phillies’ offense becoming a concern by now? It’s 18th in runs per game. That’s a far cry from the Phils’ usual lofty standard. But could Beckett actually be the matchup the bats want? Ryan Howard has six RBI and a 1.000 OPS over 13 at-bats against him. Chase Utley is 8 for 25 (.320) with a pair of homers off him.
MLB Trends:
BOS are 3-10 in their last 13 Tue. games.
Over is 12-4-2 in BOS last 18 on grass.
BOS are 23-9 in their last 32 road games.
Under is 10-1 in PHI last 11 interleague games.
Under is 8-2 in PHI last 10 on grass.
Under is 8-2 in PHI last 10 overall.
BOS are 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.
The pick:
A pitcher’s duel wouldn’t be the least bit surprising here, but I’ll lean Philadelphia’s way. Beckett’s homer rate can’t be sustainable, can it?
He’s due to serve up some taters and the Phillies are due to hit a few. More importantly, as Lee has shown over the last few years, no matter whom he’s facing, you just can’t bet against him when he’s on one of his super-streaks.
Tossing 18 scoreless innings over his last two starts would qualify as one of those streaks.
Prediction: Phillies 4, Red Sox 2
