MLB Betting – Rays vs Rangers Preview & Pick
To me, Wednesday’s matchup with Boston represents the New York Yankees’ season in a nutshell. They’re major contenders, narrowly behind Boston, and they need Phil Hughes to step up if they want to close the gap.
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Bet On MLB – Yankees vs Red Sox Preview & Pick
Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Venue: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Broadcast: ESPN, NESN
New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox Betting Lines from BetOnline.com
Money Line: Red Sox -161
Over/Under: 9
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New York Yankees (80-52 through August 29)
Phil Hughes (4-4, 6.46)
This is the case on Wednesday and the same will be true if these teams meet in a playoff series.
Hughes’ last start is probably fresh in Yankee fans’ minds; he got rocked for six runs and seven hits before leaving after just 2.2 innings. But, before that disaster, Hughes had shown signs of life, turning in four quality starts in a five-outing span. He’s 4-2 over eight starts since the All-Star Break.
Problem: The Red Sox have his number. They’ve annihilated him for seven runs on nine hits in 2.1 innings over two appearances this season. He has a 6.25 lifetime ERA versus Boston. David Ortiz really has Hughes figured out; Papi is 7 for 15 (.467) with a homer, three doubles and five RBI against Hughes all-time. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Boston Red Sox (82-51 through August 29)
Josh Beckett (11-5, 2.43)
Though they’re still waiting for Kevin Youkilis (back) and Clay Buchholz (back) to return for the stretch run, the Boston Red are humming along, having won five of six through Monday. Adrian Gonzales (.345, 23 HR, 103 RBI) has to be the American League MVP frontrunner but Boston has three other guys who warrant consideration: Jacoby Ellsbury (.312, 23 HR, 82 RBI, 36 SB), Ortiz (.311, 27 HR, 86 RBI) and Dustin Pedroia (.308, 17 HR, 71 RBI).
Josh Beckett will look for his 14th victory in 27 career starts against the Yankees on Wednesday. Though they roughed him up on the past, Beckett has made the Bronx Bombers look like a Triple-A team this season, going 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 27 innings over four starts.
MLB Trends
NYY are 46-19 in their last 65 Wed. games.
Over is 13-6-1 in NYY last 20 overall.
Over is 13-6-1 in NYY last 20 on grass.
Under is 8-2 in BOS last 10 Wed. games.
Under is 6-2 in BOS last 8 home games.
Under is 11-5 in BOS last 16 overall.
NYY are 2-9 in the last 11 meetings.
Over is 34-16-1 in the last 51 meetings in Boston.
MLB Free pick:
Let’s not overthink this one. Hughes struggles mightily against Boston, Beckett is the Yankees’ daddy and he’s also lost once in 11 starts at Fenway Park this season. The evidence to support a Boston pick is overwhelming.
Yankees vs Red Sox prediction: Red Sox 6, Yankees 2
