Posted on
10/12/2007 4:27:46 PM
MLB Betting Trends: Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox
By Robby Maddux
The ALCS between the Cleveland Indians (+145) and Boston Red Sox (-165) gets underway this evening with dueling aces climbing the hill making for a juicy under play for the MLB betting community in Game 1 at Fenway Park.
When these two teams hook up the under has cashed in five of the last seven meetings. With C.C. Sabathia (19-7, 3.21 ERA) going for the Indians that trend is likely to continue in the series opener, considering the under is 5-1-1 in Sabathia's last seven starts versus the Red Sox.
Sabathia, who is 2-0 with a 4.09 ERA in the playoffs, should do his part in putting this one under, especially against left-handers that has batted just .203 this season.
In his only outing against Boston this season, Sabathia suffered a 1-0 defeat on July 24 when he gave up four hits and struck out seven in seven innings of work. The lefty is 2-4 with a 3.91 ERA in seven career starts versus Boston.
- Under is 10-4-1 in Indians last 15 vs. American League East.
- Under is 7-1-1 in Sabathia's last 9 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 6-2 in Sabathia's last 8 starts on Grass.
- Under is 5-0 in Sabathia's last 5 road starts.
- Under is 8-2 in Sabathia's last 10 starts overall.
Josh Beckett (20-7, 3.27 ERA) will take the mound for the Red Sox. Beckett owns a career postseason record of 3-2 with a sparkling 1.74 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 51 2-3 innings.
He was sharp in two starts against the Indians this year, going 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA and lasting at least seven innings both games.
The right-hander is 1-3 with a robust 6.57 ERA in four career starts versus Cleveland.
- Under is 5-2 in Beckett's last 7 starts vs. American League Central.
- Under is 14-6 in Beckett's last 20 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 5-1 in Beckett's last 6 starts on Grass.
- Under is 5-2 in Beckett's last 7 starts overall.
MLB odds display Boston (-165) the favorites to win Game 1 with a total of 8 -110. The Red Sox are also oddsmakers choice to take the series at -175.
- Under is 4-0 in Red Sox last 4 playoff games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
- Under is 7-1 in Red Sox last 8 home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
- Under is 4-0 in Indians last 4 games as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
- Under is 7-0 in Indians last 7 road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
Analyst: In short, numbers don't lie!
MLB Free Picks: Boston 4 Cleveland 1
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