MLB Baseball
2009-08-14 - Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers
A Sports Betting Pick by BetOnline
Baseball: United States, MLB
Friday, August 14 2009, 8:05 p.m. ET
Were you betting online on the Red Sox last weekend? My condolences if you were. They were shellacked at Yankee Stadium and went from AL East leaders to battling Texas for the Wild Card.
The Sox have since rallied against Detroit at home, but now the BoSox hit the road for a crucial series against the Rangers. Let’s look at Friday’s marquee matchup.
Boston Red Sox (64-48 – 27-31 road)
As woeful as the Red Sox rotation has been overall this season, they can at least feel confident when they send power lefty Jon Lester to the hill.
Lester strikes out well over a batter per inning and has posted three straight months with an ERA of 2.60 or lower. He allows more runs on the road, but his strikeout rate is higher, so that bodes well for him against the free-swinging (and injury-depleted) Texas Rangers. In his sole start against the Rangers this season, Lester tossed nine innings of two-hit, one-run ball, striking out 11.
Lester will look to Mike Lowell to lead the Red Sox offense on Friday, assuming he’s healthy enough to play. Lowell has driven in 16 runs in 17 games since the All-Star break and is a career .339 hitter with 13 RBI in 59 at-bats against Texas starter Kevin Millwood.
Texas Rangers (62-49 – 37-21 home)
When Kevin Millwood pitches at home this season, the Rangers are world beaters. They’re already a strong home team to start, but Millwood makes them even better. He’s 7-1 at Rangers Ballpark this season. He’s also 2-0 against Boston with a 1.38 ERA in 2009.
Texas’ offense is weakened with Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz battling injuries, but Michael Young could make noise for the Rangers. Young is batting .366 with eight homers in 24 games since the All-Star Break.
The Betting Verdict
Like the Seattle Seahawks in NFL betting, I like Boston be a surprise success on Friday.
The numbers heavily favor Kevin Millwood and the Rangers in their comfy ballpark, but Millwood is just one start removed from a glute strain and may be on a strict pitch count.
Also remember that Jon Lester has already dominated Texas this season.
So take the Red Sox, who should offer slight underdog value.
The Pick :
Boston Red Sox
