New York Yankees (83-63) PK, o/u 10 at Boston Red Sox (89-58), 7:05 pm Eastern Friday, ESPN
by Zman of Predictem.com
A couple of the big dogs of the American League meet when the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox begin their final regular-season series this year Friday night at Fenway Park.
New York, winners of seven of its last eight games, trails Boston, which has won nine of its last 12, by 5 ½ games in the AL East with just three weeks to go. But the Yankees lead the AL wild-card race by 3½ games over the Detroit Tigers, so there is still a decent chance these two teams will hook up in the post-season.
New York is 20 games over .500 on the season, but just 36-36 on the road. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are 20 games over .500 just at home this season at 46-26.
The Yanks lead the season series eight games to seven this season, with the o/u going 9-6.
Andy Pettitte (13-8, 3.78) gets the start in the series opener Friday night for New York, against the struggling Daisuke Matsuzaka (14-12, 4.44) for Boston.
Pettitte has allowed 10 ER and 30 baserunners (hits + walks) in his last 19 2/3 IP. The Yankees are 18-12 in Pettitte's starts this season, the o/u 13-15.
Pettitte has started five games already this season vs. the Red Sox, giving up 16 ER and 47 baserunners in 29 1/3 IP. New York is 3-2 in those starts, the o/u 4-1.
Matsuzaka is coming off his worst outing of his short ML career, and has allowed 20 ER and 29 baserunners over just his last 14 1/3 IP. Boston is 15-14 in Matsuzaka's starts this season, the o/u 13-16.
Matsuzaka has started three games vs. the Yankees this season, giving up 15 ER and 27 baserunners in 19 1/3 IP. The Sox are 2-1 in those starts, the o/u also 2-1.
New York pitching has been pretty solid recently, holding seven of its last 10 opponents to three runs or less.
The Yankees own the best team OBP in the league this season, .363, and are averaging a very healthy 5.9 runs per game.
Boston ranks second in the league with its .362 team OBP and is averaging 5.4 RPG.
The New York bullpen has allowed four ER and 16 baserunners over its last 12 IP.
The Red Sox pen has given up five ER and 21 baserunners in its last 21 1/3 IP.
Boston slugger Manny Ramirez, who's missed the Sox last 15 games with a strained oblique, is listed as questionable for Friday's game.
The o/u is 67-68 in Yankees games this year, 67-76 in Boston games, and 38-31 at Fenway Park, where games are averaging 10.2 run per this season.
The Predictem Pick: We like the Yankees at -118.
Where do you bet on baseball games? Does your bookie offer you overnight lines? Reduced odds betting? Alternative runlines? If not, you should definitely check out 5Dimes.
MLB Pick of the Day - We analyze all the games on each day's card and post the bet that we feel has the best chance of winning.
Expert MLB Baseball Picks - Get free daily winning predictions from professional sports handicappers!
2011 MLB Predictions - Badger lists every MLB team including their odds to win their division and the pennant and then makes his predictions on who he thinks will win each pennant.
World Series Predictions - Badger gives his favorite, middle of the road and longshot takes on who he thinks will prevail in the Fall Classic.
Dimeline Sportsbooks - If your not betting at a sportsbook that offers dimlines your wasting money!
Overnight Lines - Bet on tomorrows games tonight. Get better value with opening lines and odds before the sharps hit them and suck the value out.
5Dimes - Offers 10 cent lines and college baseball betting!
Alternative Runlines - Also +2.5 runlines which turns MLB into a point spread sport!
Rules - Innings requirements, listed pitchers, action, rainouts, suspended games. We cover it all!
What is Whip in Baseball? - Ever seen the world WHIP associated with baseball stats? It's one of the most important factors in handicapping. Increase your winning percentage today by reading this article!
How do you Calculate ERA? - We've got the answer to a stat question asked by many.
How to Calculate Batting Average - We all know what it is but but how do you calculate it? Click and learn.
What is... - Answers to MANY questions regarding America's pastime and from around the diamond.
Famous Baseball Quotes - From Yogi Berra to Casey Stengel, we list some of the greatest words ever spoken on the diamond.