Red Sox vs Angels Odds - ‘Little things’ will push Red Sox past Angels

Red Sox vs Angels betting kick off MLB playoff betting. This is a recording. It seems the Red Sox and Angels meet every year in the postseason – with the same result. Boston beat L.A. in 2004, 2007 and 2008 in the ALCS, winning nine of 10 games. Is this the year the Angels finally break the curse?

Red Sox vs Angels Betting: Bullpen, defense give Boston tiny edge in extremely even matchup

• WHAT: MLB playoff betting; best-of-five series
  
• WHEN: Game 1 date and time TBD
  
• KEY STAT: Red Sox are 9-1 against Angels in postseason since 2004
  
• PICK: Red Sox in five

Red Sox vs Angels betting maker breakdown: Hitting lineup
Year in, year out, the Red Sox trot a formidable lineup onto the field, and this season is no exception. Jason Bay and Kevin Youkilis are once again MVP candidates; Dustin Pedroia provides good pop at second; Jacoby Ellsbury does nothing but score. Victor Martinez was a major addition for Boston at the trade deadline; he hit .335 with 36 RBI in 53 games after joining the BoSox. A surprising X-factor: David Ortiz, who very quietly led the majors in home runs with 26 between June 6 and September 25. That is not a misprint.

Online sports betting players cannot underestimate Los Angeles’ lineup, however. The Angels lead the majors in batting average, rank second in runs and rank third in stolen bases this season. They’re an offensive juggernaut, led by breakout star Kendry Morales, rock-solid veterans Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero, and Swiss Army knife Chone Figgins. There’s no easy out in this lineup of on-base machines.

The Red Sox have more playoff experience, and that’s worth something, yet the Angels have the deeper lineup. Call this one a draw.

Betting Edge: Draw

Red Sox vs Angels betting maker breakdown: Starting pitching
In a short series, the Red Sox are set up well to succeed. Starting their rotation with dominant Josh Beckett and Jon Lester gives them a chance to open the series up 2-0. Beckett didn’t play the Angels well this season, but the playoff Beckett is a different beast; he’s 7-2 with a 2.90 ERA and three complete-game shutouts in the playoffs. After their big two, however, the Red Sox are shaky. Clay Buchholz has a bright future but he’s unproven in the playoffs; Tim Wakefield and Daisuke Matsuzaka have battled injuries and may not be consistent.

The Angels boast a deep rotation. John Lackey at the top is a proven playoff performer while Scott Kazmir and Jered Weaver can dominate at times. Joe Saunders will likely pitch at Fenway Park in the series and has never lost there.

In a best-of-seven series, the Angels’ deeper staff would give them an edge; in a best-of-five, the Beckett-Lester factor pulls Boston even with L.A.

Betting Edge: Draw

Red Sox vs Angels betting maker breakdown: Bullpen
The days of dominant Angel bullpens are long gone. Brian Fuentes saved a boatload of games on a good team but was very hittable all season. None of L.A.’s setup men had good years either. The Red Sox have Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima and Takashi Saito. Enough said.

Betting Edge: Red Sox

Red Sox vs Angels betting maker breakdown: Defense
Neither team really sags defensively but, as good as Torii Hunter is in center field, the Red Sox have the defensive edge. Mike Lowell still plays like a guy 10 years younger at third; Youkilis is a stalwart at first; Ellsbury plays Gold-Glove caliber “D” in center; Pedroia is underrated at second.

Betting Edge: Red Sox

Red Sox vs Angels betting breakdown: Outlook and Pick
Thanks to their stellar hitting and deep pitching staff, the Angels will give Boston a much tougher run this season. Don’t be surprised if this one comes down to a fifth and deciding game. However, Boston’s little intangibles – more experience, mental edge because of past wins over the Angels, better bullpen, better defense – will be the difference maker. Pick Boston to win what should be an excellent series to watch.

DALE’S PICK: Red Sox in five

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Dale Lalonde is BetOnline.com's MLB expert.