Posted on
4/4/2008 4:04:32 PM
MLB Baseball Betting Trends Boston at Toronto
By Eric Williams
Despite the fact that they’ve been traveling the globe to start the 2008 regular season, the Boston Red Sox, (3-1), are off to a fine start and come into tonight’s contest riding a modest two-game winning streak after beating the mediocre Oakland A’s 5-0 on Wednesday.
Despite their winning ways, Red Sox manager Terry Francona says all of the team’s travel may be affecting them.
"We're certainly not on all cylinders," Francona said after the Red Sox had 13 hits but left 12 runners on base in Wednesday's win. "That may be part of the trip ... but what they did today was good enough."
Designated hitter David Ortiz hit a home run and drove in his first two runs of the season on Wednesday.
"It feels good, man. I've been fighting a lot of stuff right now," Ortiz told the team's official Web site. "It's still early in the season, so I can put myself together. I've been fighting through with my balance and recognizing pitches. In spring training, I wasn't having fun like I normally do. At the beginning of the season, it was the same way."
The Toronto Blue Jays,(1-2), have hopes on dethroning the Red Sox in the AL East this season but are off to a slow start after dropping two of their first three contests including a 3-2 loss to the New York Yankees on Thursday.
"It was just like the first game here … tight ballgame. You've got to be able to win some of them," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "I thought we left all those tight games behind us last year, but I guess not."
The Red Sox will start veteran knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield who went 17-12 last season in 31 starts, striking out 110 and walking 64 with a 4.76 ERA.
Toronto starter Shaun Marcum went 12-6 last season in 25 starts and 13 relief appearances, striking out 122 and walking 49 with a 4.13 ERA.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Gambling Free Picks.:
Key Red Sox Trends
The Red Sox are 4-0 in their last four Friday games.
The Red Sox are 5-0 in their last five during game one of a series.
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last nine games vs. a right-handed starter.
Key Blue Jays Trends
The Blue Jays are 5-1 in their last six home games.
The Blue Jays are 5-1 in their last six games on field turf.
The Blue Jays are 4-1 in their last five Friday games.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 4-1 in Red Sox last five games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Under is 4-1 in Red Sox last five overall.
The Over is 4-1 in Red Sox last five games following an off day.
The Under is 5-1 in Blue Jays last six home games.
The Under is 5-1 in Blue Jays last six on field turf.
The Under is 4-1 in Blue Jays last five vs. American League East.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Toronto.
The Under is 7-0 in Wakefield’s last seven road starts vs. Blue Jays.
The Under is 9-1-1 in Wakefield’s last eleven starts vs. Blue Jays.
Analysis: While the Red Sox are the better team in this contest, I think they may be due for a loss while the Blue Jays need to win this game badly, even this early in the season.
MLB Free Picks: Blue Jays 5 Red Sox 3
07:15 PM EST MLB Odds
Boston Red Sox
Tim Wakefield - R +1½ -210
Toronto Blue Jays
Shaun Marcum - R -1½ +175
Over 9½ -115
Under 9½ -105
American League
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