The Bettor's Box
by Bodog Sportsbook | Jun 1 2009
If the Boston Red Sox get their pitching in order, there's no doubt they'd be the class of the American League. Coming into June, Boston is only 17th overall in team ERA (4.44), and only 23rd in WHIP (1.46); these numbers have barely kept the BoSox in the black for bettors despite being fourth in the AL in run differential (+31). Perhaps Boston could take a page from the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers, who are in the top 10 in both categories one season removed from finishing near the bottom of the MLB moneylist.
Series: Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers
Under bettors strongly considering the midweek series between the Red Sox (29-22, +1.90 units) and Tigers (28-21, +5.92 units) might want to take a rain check for the opener of the three-game set on Tuesday night with Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-3, 8.82 ERA) taking the hill. Activated last week after missing almost six weeks with arm fatigue, Matsuzaka has yet to find his form in two starts for the Red Sox. Depending on where oddsmakers set the total, Boston (1-5 O/U in its last six games) and Detroit (3-7 O/U in its last 10) could be headed for the over.
Series: Texas Rangers at New York Yankees
The American League's most profitable team gets a do-over with the Bronx Bombers when the Rangers (30-20, +11.38 units) meet the Yankees (29-21, -0.47 units) for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday night. Texas has been the talk of the AL through two months, but it couldn't do much against New York last week when the Yanks took two of three against the moneyline down in Arlington. New York's potent offense (5.66 runs per game) was on full display in the series, with the Yankees outscoring the Rangers 23-10 in the three games.
Series: Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers (35-17, +16.75 units) have kept on rolling without Manny Ramirez, but you have to wonder when it's going to end for L.A. backers. Joe Torre's gang gets another chance to prove their worth in a four-game set this weekend with the Phillies (28-20, +4.13 units), who dropped two of three against the moneyline versus the Dodgers two weeks ago. Hiroki Kuroda (0-1, 1.59 ERA) is slated to start for Los Angeles on Saturday, and it will be his second appearance since coming off the disabled list on Monday. Kuroda was the Dodgers' opening day hurler, but has missed every start since because of a strained left oblique.
San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals (Wednesday, 7:05 PM ET)
Randy Johnson (4-4, 5.71 ERA) is likely to see chalk as he goes for career win No. 300 on Wednesday night, but that doesn't mean bettors should jump on the Giants (25-24, +0.54 units) for their game with the Nationals (13-36, -21.46 units). The Big Unit has been awful on the road this season, having gone 0-2 with an 8.50 ERA away from AT&T Park to contribute to San Francisco's 7-15 moneyline record when it's wearing gray. The good news for bettors eyeing history is the Giants have cashed six of their last eight contests heading into the week.
Los Angeles Angels at Toronto Blue Jays (Thursday, 12:37 PM ET)
Value seekers should look no further than the battle between the Blue Jays (29-24, +3.04 units) and Angels (25-24, +1.57 units) on Thursday afternoon at Rogers Centre. That's because Brian Tallet (3-3, 4.26 ERA) is getting the ball for Toronto opposite Los Angeles' John Lackey (1-1, 6.05 ERA), with the latter still working his way back from elbow surgery. Tallet is one of baseball's best-kept secrets, and has a 1-0 record with a 2.96 ERA at home this season. Take note Tallet's ERA is inflated because of one horrible outing in an 11-3 loss at Kansas City on April 29 in which the lefthander was rocked for 10 runs over four innings.
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees (Friday, 7:05 PM ET)
You hate to go to the Yankees' well once again, but Friday's game is really about the Rays' David Price (1-0, 3.00 ERA). With Pat Burrell (neck), Jason Bartlett (ankle) and Akinori Iwamura (knee) all on the disabled list, Price needs to be at his best if Tampa Bay (25-28, -7.72 units) is going to walk into Yankee Stadium and get the payday against New York. Price was certainly lights-out in his last start, as the lefthander allowed only one run over 5 2-3 innings while fanning 11 in the Rays' (-143) 5-2 win over the Twins last Saturday.
by Bodog Sportsbook | Jun 1 2009
If the Boston Red Sox get their pitching in order, there's no doubt they'd be the class of the American League. Coming into June, Boston is only 17th overall in team ERA (4.44), and only 23rd in WHIP (1.46); these numbers have barely kept the BoSox in the black for bettors despite being fourth in the AL in run differential (+31). Perhaps Boston could take a page from the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers, who are in the top 10 in both categories one season removed from finishing near the bottom of the MLB moneylist.
Series: Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers
Under bettors strongly considering the midweek series between the Red Sox (29-22, +1.90 units) and Tigers (28-21, +5.92 units) might want to take a rain check for the opener of the three-game set on Tuesday night with Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-3, 8.82 ERA) taking the hill. Activated last week after missing almost six weeks with arm fatigue, Matsuzaka has yet to find his form in two starts for the Red Sox. Depending on where oddsmakers set the total, Boston (1-5 O/U in its last six games) and Detroit (3-7 O/U in its last 10) could be headed for the over.
Series: Texas Rangers at New York Yankees
The American League's most profitable team gets a do-over with the Bronx Bombers when the Rangers (30-20, +11.38 units) meet the Yankees (29-21, -0.47 units) for a three-game series beginning on Tuesday night. Texas has been the talk of the AL through two months, but it couldn't do much against New York last week when the Yanks took two of three against the moneyline down in Arlington. New York's potent offense (5.66 runs per game) was on full display in the series, with the Yankees outscoring the Rangers 23-10 in the three games.
Series: Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers (35-17, +16.75 units) have kept on rolling without Manny Ramirez, but you have to wonder when it's going to end for L.A. backers. Joe Torre's gang gets another chance to prove their worth in a four-game set this weekend with the Phillies (28-20, +4.13 units), who dropped two of three against the moneyline versus the Dodgers two weeks ago. Hiroki Kuroda (0-1, 1.59 ERA) is slated to start for Los Angeles on Saturday, and it will be his second appearance since coming off the disabled list on Monday. Kuroda was the Dodgers' opening day hurler, but has missed every start since because of a strained left oblique.
San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals (Wednesday, 7:05 PM ET)
Randy Johnson (4-4, 5.71 ERA) is likely to see chalk as he goes for career win No. 300 on Wednesday night, but that doesn't mean bettors should jump on the Giants (25-24, +0.54 units) for their game with the Nationals (13-36, -21.46 units). The Big Unit has been awful on the road this season, having gone 0-2 with an 8.50 ERA away from AT&T Park to contribute to San Francisco's 7-15 moneyline record when it's wearing gray. The good news for bettors eyeing history is the Giants have cashed six of their last eight contests heading into the week.
Los Angeles Angels at Toronto Blue Jays (Thursday, 12:37 PM ET)
Value seekers should look no further than the battle between the Blue Jays (29-24, +3.04 units) and Angels (25-24, +1.57 units) on Thursday afternoon at Rogers Centre. That's because Brian Tallet (3-3, 4.26 ERA) is getting the ball for Toronto opposite Los Angeles' John Lackey (1-1, 6.05 ERA), with the latter still working his way back from elbow surgery. Tallet is one of baseball's best-kept secrets, and has a 1-0 record with a 2.96 ERA at home this season. Take note Tallet's ERA is inflated because of one horrible outing in an 11-3 loss at Kansas City on April 29 in which the lefthander was rocked for 10 runs over four innings.
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees (Friday, 7:05 PM ET)
You hate to go to the Yankees' well once again, but Friday's game is really about the Rays' David Price (1-0, 3.00 ERA). With Pat Burrell (neck), Jason Bartlett (ankle) and Akinori Iwamura (knee) all on the disabled list, Price needs to be at his best if Tampa Bay (25-28, -7.72 units) is going to walk into Yankee Stadium and get the payday against New York. Price was certainly lights-out in his last start, as the lefthander allowed only one run over 5 2-3 innings while fanning 11 in the Rays' (-143) 5-2 win over the Twins last Saturday.
