MLB Playoffs Game 1 - Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels

BoSox vs. Angels in the Night Cap

First-pitch: 9:37 pm EST

The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels hook up tonight in the first of what could be a 5 game 1st round playoff series.

The BetUS odds makers have the Red Sox aslight -115 favorites to take down the Angels, and the stats support that. Red Sox fans understand curses oh too well. Angels’ fans are beginning to as the BoSox have dominated the Angels historically.

The Angels have lost 12 out of their last 13 playoff games against Boston and 9 of 10 out of the last three series. The Angels’ lone victory in that stretch was a 12 inning victory in last year’s series.

That’s not good, but the pitching matchup could lead to another Angels’ victory as John Lester for Boston and John Lackey for the Angels are amazingly close in terms of ERA, victories and WHIP. Lester is 15 and 8 with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Lackey is 11 and 8 with a 3.83 ERA and 1.27 WHIP.

Because I have more faith in the Angels’ batters, I have to take the home dog in this game. If Lackey can just stay even with Lester tonight, then the Angels could win the game at -105 in the sportsbook.