The Boston Red Sox are coming off of a shutout victory, and they hope to continue their success tonight as they continue to dance with the Seattle Mariners. Find out why we believe that tonight's best MLB betting value can be found in the total.
Joe Freda’s 2012 MLB Record: 31-29-1 (+1.17 ROI)
The Boston Red Sox picked up a 5-0 victory in Friday’s triumph
against the Seattle Mariners, cashing as 108 road favorites. Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia cracked
one of four homers for his squad, while starter Aaron Cook held Seattle to two
hits in a full nine innings.
Saturday night’s rematch has Boston’s Josh Beckett (4-7, 4.14 ERA)
returning to the hill off the disabled list, squaring off with Seattle’s Erasmo
Ramirez (0-2, 4.18 ERA) in a battle of righty hurlers. Top baseball betting books opened Beckett as a 165
favorite, while setting the ‘total’ at 7 ½.
Beckett continues slide
in Miami
Beckett’s last outing came on June 11 against the Miami Marlins,
recording a third straight loss in a 4-1 defeat as a 105 road dog. The 12-year veteran gave up all four of
Miami’s runs in the first two innings, while allowing six hits over seven
frames.
Red Sox outfielder Adrian Gonzalez drove in his squad’s sole run,
while leadoff man Scott Podsednik finished with a 3-for-4 night. Boston’s David Ortiz was held to a 0-for-4
night from the cleanup spot, leaving four men on base.
The contest’s five combined runs dipped below the ‘total’ of 7 ½,
bringing the UNDER to 5-1 in Beckett’s last six starts. Red Sox reliever Mark Melancon gave up no
hits in the eighth inning, while Gonzalez recorded the battle’s only error.
Ramirez outdueled at
home
Ramirez made his third start of the year in Monday’s 1-0 setback
for Seattle as a 106 MLB odds favorite against the Oakland Athletics. The rookie held Oakland to three hits over
eight innings, while ringing up 10 strikeouts.
Seattle’s Jesus Montero and Kyle Seager both struck out twice,
while mate Justin Smoak went 0-for-3 en route to leaving three men on
base. Montero finished with a 2-for-4
night, while Ichiro Suzuki and Franklin Gutierrez each hit 1-for-4 from the
lineup’s top two spots.
The tight duel plunged below the ‘total’ of seven, ending a 2-0
run for the OVER in Ramirez’ prior two starting spots. Seattle’s Tom Wilhelmsen tossed a hitless
ninth frame in relief of Ramirez, while logging one strikeout.
Back the OVER in Seattle
Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. (ET). The series concludes Sunday afternoon, with
Boston’s Felix Doubront slated to start against Seattle’s Jason Vargas in a
matchup of southpaws.
I am adding the OVER in Saturday’s duel to my night’s card of MLB
picks, looking for the scoring to pick up in the series with this spot. The OVER has collected at 12-4-1 in Boston’s
last 17 games that followed a victory, while Seattle’s current run of seven
straight UNDER’s cashing has driven down the ‘total’ here.
Beckett has allowed a sizable 1.28 WHIP in his five road outings
this year, while surrendering six homers in that span’s 32 IP. The three-time All-Star was shelled for five
early runs in last August’s visit to Safeco Field, giving up long balls to
Ichiro Suzuki and Casper Wells.
Ramirez went deep last time out, but steps up in class against
Boston’s lineup here. Boston came up
with nine hits in Friday’s victory, letting loose after Thursday’s tight opener
had Ortiz and Co. starting the set after a tough traveling spot.
Seattle’s Dustin Ackley may end his 0-for-8 slump here against Beckett, with a
4-for-9 lifetime mark against the veteran. Look for just enough runs from both sides to get on the board here,
adding another cashed ticket for the OVER to its 7-3-1 mark in Boston’s last 11
games as a favorite.