Angels vs Red Sox Odds - Bottom falls out for bottom of Boston rotation
The Angels vs Red Sox odds mean little to the Los Angeles Angels, who have all but locked up the American League West crown. For the Red Sox, though, each game still matters as they try to hold off Texas for the AL Wild Card. Will Dice-K’s return buoy them or sink them in this MLB betting series?
Angels vs Red Sox Odds: Red Sox look thin at back of their rotation
- Don’t count on a successful return for Dice-K tonight
- Joe Saunders sucks, but not against Boston
- Josh Beckett will right the ship in series finale
Tonight, 7:10 p.m. ET
Angels vs Red Sox odds: John Lackey (10-7, 3.53) vs Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-5, 8.23) If Dice-K comes anywhere close to his 2007-2008 level, he’ll give Boston a major shot in the arm for the playoffs. While that could happen, I’m not convinced it will happen overnight. Even the old Dice-k got rocked for six runs in five innings the lone time he faced the Angels in his career. New Dice-K is starting for the first time in three months and should be rusty. Sizzling John Lackey has thrown two straight complete games, allowing one earned run and walking one over his last two starts. He does struggle historically against the Red Sox – he has a 6.34 ERA at Fenway Park and Victor Martinez bats .476 off him – but he’s in such a groove right now that he can overcome his former struggles. Pick L.A. and consider going over the total if you’re betting online too. Angels vs Red Sox Betting Edge: Angels
Wednesday, September 16, 7:10 p.m. ET
Angels vs Red Sox odds: Joe Saunders (13-7, 4.81) vs Paul Byrd (1-1, 6.08) Joe Saunders is enjoying his best month of the season, going 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA in September, but much of his success came against weak lineups (Seattle, Kansas City) and he continues to serve up gopher balls like mad. His 27 homers allowed trail only Jeremy Guthrie for the AL lead. While I’ll never believe in Saunders, it’s hard to ignore his splits. He’s 3-0 at Fenway Park and 4-1 all-time against Boston with a 3.25 ERA. For whatever reason, he handles that potent lineup well. Homer-prone Paul Byrd could be in trouble Wednesday night, having allowed 11 long balls in just 54.2 career innings against Los Angeles. The Angels’ top sluggers love facing Byrd; Vlad Guerrero bats .370 off him with two homers and eight RBI in 27 at-bats while Kendry Morales (.556) and Mike Napoli (.500) really feast on him. L.A. should win another slugfest. Angels vs Red Sox Betting Edge: Angels
Thursday, September 17, 7:10 p.m. ET
Angels vs Red Sox odds: Ervin Santana (7-8, 5.52) vs Josh Beckett (15-6, 3.82) Ervin Santana was a total write-off to start 2009 but has returned to usefulness since the All-Star break, going 6-3 with a 4.30 ERA. He’s never pitched well at Fenway Park but, then again, up is down for him this season, as he’s pitched better on the road than at home after years of exaggerated splits the opposite way. Bettors are still better off with Beckett and Boston on Thursday. Josh Beckett is 9-1 at Fenway Park this season and may be over his midseason slump, as he cruised against tough Tampa and Chicago lineups in his last two starts. Pick Boston. Angels vs Red Sox Betting Edge: Red Sox
MLB betting breakdown: Outlook and Pick Boston’s lack of rotation depth will sting a bit against a tough hitting team like L.A. The Angels are solid picks for the first two games of the series. DALE’S PICK: Angels to win two of three
For full Angels vs Red Sox odds, check out our sportsbook. For sports betting tips galore, keep reading the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com. Dale Lalonde is BetOnline.com's MLB expert.
