MLB matchups - Rays, Red Sox clash in AL
Posted on 9/8/2008 4:09:06 PM
By T.J. Kendrick
MLB matchups—Huge divisional clashes ahead this week
It’s coming down to crunch time in Major League Baseball, as most teams are jostling for a postseason spot to raise their 2008 World Series odds. This week’s MLB betting matchups focus on the Wild Card spot, as Boston hosts Tampa Bay in the American League, while Philadelphia and Milwaukee will go head-to-head later in the week.
WHAT: Major League Baseball
WHO: Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox
WHEN: September 8-10
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
KEY STATS: These two had split their 12 meetings heading into Monday’s game
The Rays are coming off a sweep on the road at Toronto, and they were 1-5 in their first six games of September. Tampa Bay is young and the pressure of the postseason race could be getting to them. However, critics keep expecting the Rays to fall and, time and time again, they are proven wrong.
The Red Sox had won seven of their last 10 heading into this game, and their veteran experience is showing late in the season, which will give their World Series odds a boost. The pitching matchup to watch comes on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. ET, when Tampa Bay’s All-Star winner, Scott Kazmir (11-6, 2.99) takes on Boston’s Daisuke Matsuzaka (16-2, 2.88).
The Red Sox have won 17 of their last 20 at Fenway against the Rays, including all six this season. Bet on the Boston Red Sox to take at least two of three from the Rays this season.
WHAT: Major League Baseball
WHO: Milwaukee Brewers at Philadelphia Phillies
WHEN: September 11-14
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
KEY STATS: These two split a two-game series in Milwaukee in April
As of Monday, the Phillies trailed the Brewers by four games for the National League’s Wild Card spot. They also split a four-game series in New York with the Mets last weekend, and then a three-game set with Florida before this series.
The Brewers also had a weekend split with San Diego, and they also host the lowly Cincinnati Reds heading into this crucial series. The Brewers can essentially wrap up their postseason spot with a sweep of the Phillies, and this will be a great MLB matchup of a good road team against a good home team.
However, the Phillies do manage to avoid Milwaukee’s Cy Young candidate C.C. Sabathia, who starts on Wednesday. Bet on the Philadelphia Phillies to pull out the big bats and take three of four to put some pressure on the Brewers.
T.J.
Kendrick is the biggest baseball nut and a brilliant MLB handicapper. His love
of the game borders on obsession, and he takes every chance he gets to make
excellent predictions, frequently contributing to industry handicapping sites
as well as BetOnline.com. Thoughts
or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
