I looked at this game and to me the best way to bet this game is to play the 1st 5 innings rather than try to figure which if either starter will pop out of their lastest bad form. Played:
OVER 4 -120 FIRST 5 INNINGS
Both the starters in this game have been pretty good, but not of late, and I think the chances of one of them to stay off form will get this game over 4 runs after 5 innings. Throw the fact that both starting pitchers have struggled in the past vs the team they're facing tonight.
Lackey's last 3 starts are not good: 13 innings pitched giving up 21 hits and an ERA of 8.31
Lester's last 3 starts: 14.2 innings pitched giving up 20 hits with a 4.91 ERA
Lackey career vs Boston: In 14 starts he is just 3-7 with a High ERA of 5.25 and has given up 105 hits in just 84 Innings pitched.
Lester career vs Anaheim: In 4 career starts, he is 1-1 with a sky high ERA of 7.78 ERA and has surrendered 33 hits in just 19.2 innings pitched.
Lester is on the Road in this game and that's another negative for him as his Road ERA is a full run higher than his home ERA this season and he has given up 15 homers on the road this season vs just 5 at home.
Bottom line, I'm not saying both starters will struggle tonight, but looing at the past history and recent struggles, I think the chances of at least one of them struggling is good, and that may be all you need to get this over 4 runs thru 5.
Good luck!
-ndnfan
OVER 4 -120 FIRST 5 INNINGS
Both the starters in this game have been pretty good, but not of late, and I think the chances of one of them to stay off form will get this game over 4 runs after 5 innings. Throw the fact that both starting pitchers have struggled in the past vs the team they're facing tonight.
Lackey's last 3 starts are not good: 13 innings pitched giving up 21 hits and an ERA of 8.31
Lester's last 3 starts: 14.2 innings pitched giving up 20 hits with a 4.91 ERA
Lackey career vs Boston: In 14 starts he is just 3-7 with a High ERA of 5.25 and has given up 105 hits in just 84 Innings pitched.
Lester career vs Anaheim: In 4 career starts, he is 1-1 with a sky high ERA of 7.78 ERA and has surrendered 33 hits in just 19.2 innings pitched.
Lester is on the Road in this game and that's another negative for him as his Road ERA is a full run higher than his home ERA this season and he has given up 15 homers on the road this season vs just 5 at home.
Bottom line, I'm not saying both starters will struggle tonight, but looing at the past history and recent struggles, I think the chances of at least one of them struggling is good, and that may be all you need to get this over 4 runs thru 5.
Good luck!
-ndnfan
