Posted on
4/15/2008 6:12:26 PM
MLB Baseball Betting Action – Indians Host Red Sox
By Eric Williams
The Boston Red Sox, (8-6, 6-7-1 O/U) are starting to warm up right along with the spring weather for online baseball bettors as they enter tonight’s showdown with fellow American League power, the Cleveland Indians, (5-8, 8-5 O/U) riding a three-game winning streak in the BetUS Sportsbook that includes Monday night’s 6-4 victory over the Indians as home run bopping outfielder Manny Ramirez capped off a ninth-inning comeback by blasting a mammoth two-run homer off Indians closer Joe Borowski, breaking a 4-all tie and lifting Boston a 6-4 win.
"Manny took such a pretty swing," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.
Ramirez may not be in for a big game tonight as he is just 3-for-16 in his career against Indians starter Paul Byrd, (0-2, 11.05 ERA).
Byrd however, will have to do better than he did in his last outing as he gave up six runs and three home runs in just three innings of a 9-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels last Wednesday.
Byrd, whose name came up in the Mitchell Report in the offseason, says the unwanted attention has been a bit of a distraction, particularly on his off days.
"It's been a distraction at times when I'm not on the mound, but it hasn't really caused me to lose concentration," Byrd said. "My head's pretty clear. I just haven't had my command at all and I haven't had very good stuff. To pitch up here, you have to have one of the two, and I have neither right now."
Boston will start veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, (1-0, 3.27), who has allowed just four earned runs in two outings covering 11 innings, but has had trouble locating the plate as he has walked eight batters this season including five in five innings against the Detroit Tigers last week.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Free Picks:
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last nine games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
The Red Sox are 5-1 in their last six games as a road favorite.
The Indians are 7-0 in their last seven Tuesday games.
The Indians are 5-1 in their last six games as a home underdog.
The Over is 4-0 in Wakefields last four starts during game two of a series.
The Over is 5-0-1 in Wakefields last six starts vs. American League Central.
The Over is 5-0-1 in Byrds last six starts as an underdog.
The Over is 4-0-1 in Byrds last five home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
The Red Sox are 4-0 in the last four meetings.
The Over is 6-1-2 in the last nine meetings.
The Under is 4-1-1 in Wakefields last six starts vs. Indians.
Analysis: While this contest featuring two of the best teams in all of baseball could be a preview of the American League Championship Series, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves at the moment. I’ll simply start by taking the Indians to win this contest by rocking Wakefield as they cruise to victory while getting a small measure of revenge for last night’s loss.
MLB Free Picks: Indians 8 Red Sox 5
07:05 PM EST MLB Lines
Boston Red Sox
Tim Wakefield - R +1½ -220
Cleveland Indians
Paul Byrd - R -1½ +180
Over 9½ -110
Under 9½ -110
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