Boston have been an online betting favorite for most of the year, but in order to hold off one American League West team from Texas, they’ll have to get the better of another team, the division-leading Angels.
John Lackey (10-7, 3.53) vs Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-5, 8.23) – Tuesday, September 15, 7:10 PM ET
Lackey has struggled against the Red Sox in his career, posting a 3-6 mark in 13 career starts, but he may have caught a break against Matsuzaka, who is making his first start in three months after shoulder problems caught up with the 29-year-old. He was rocked in the regular season against the Angels last year, and didn’t fare that much better in the playoffs despite a no-decision. Go with the Angels’ MLB odds on Tuesday night.
Joe Saunders (13-7, 4.81) vs Paul Byrd (1-1, 6.08) – Wednesday, September 16, 7:10 PM ET
Saunders is a perfect 3-0 at Fenway Park in his career with an ERA of 2.75, and he’s given up two runs or less in his last four starts, which have all been victories. Byrd was battered in Chicago before settling down against Baltimore, and he’s 4-2 in nine career outings against the Angels with a 4.94 ERA. Lackey’s early-season numbers are a bit astounding, but he seems to be finding an extra gear late in the season, which is why you should take the Angels in your gambling software on Wednesday.
Ervin Santana (7-8, 5.52) vs Josh Beckett (15-6, 3.82) – Thursday, September 17, 7:10 PM ET
Santana is 0-2 in four starts after a four-start winning streak, and he’s only 1-2 in five career starts against the Red Sox with a 5.67 ERA. Beckett hasn’t fared any better against the Angels, going 2-3 seven starts with a 4.26 ERA, he seems to have settled down since a rough August, which isn’t surprising given that Beckett has always been an excellent pitcher in September. Santana has been too inconsistent to lean on this year, while Beckett is a blistering 9-1 at Fenway Park with a 3.42 ERA. It’s not hard to see why the Red Sox should be in your MLB picks on Thursday.