Red Sox Braves Betting – Projected Contenders Clash In Grapefruit League Play Wednesday
With just two weeks to go before the Major League Baseball 2011 regular season gets underway, ESPN will go live to air from Champion Stadium in Lake Buena Vista, Florida to bring baseball fans another spring training game between a couple of key contenders for the coming season. The Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves are both projected among the favorites to return to the postseason this year, a long journey that continues with their Grapefruit League matchup this Wednesday.
Boston Red Sox @ Atlanta Braves
Wednesday March 16, 2011 – 1:00 PM ET
Champion Stadium, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Broadcast: ESPN
Online Sports Betting Odds: Boston - 120
The Braves have been red-hot this spring, climbing to the top of the Grapefruit League standings with the best run differential through their first 13 games. Boston isn’t far behind them in wins, but more importantly these teams have continued to mold their spring training outlook as they prepare for the coming season.
Spring Training Outlook: Red Sox
The four scoreless innings that Clay Buchholz threw in a 2-1 split squad win over the Baltimore Orioles last week only added to the promise of just how good the Red Sox pitching staff could be. Buchholz has now gone nine innings without allowing a single run, while John Lackey and Josh Beckett have both looked solid in the early going. For a team that ranked in the top-five in runs, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage to close out last season, it’s scary to think that this team could be even stronger this year on offense. That is exactly the case however with the additions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, as well as the return of former MLB Betting MVP shortstop Dustin Pedroia.
Spring Training Outlook: Braves
The Braves have gotten some solid performances out of their pitching staff early on, with Tommy Hanson and Derrick Lowe each having already registered a pair of wins while not allowing a run this spring training. Pitching will be the key in one of baseball’s tougher divisions this year, and the Braves will need to make sure that they find the right balance deeper in their starting rotation. Jason Heyward has one again looked solid in preseason play, with a couple of doubles and a run, but will need to carry over that consistency into the regular season. Freddie Freeman and Marlin Prado have been the biggest surprises this spring with each batter hitting over .340, and will need to continue to produce to earn a role with the team. Shortstop Alex Gonzalez has nine hits in nine spring training games, including a home run.
The Matchup: Red Sox vs. Braves
The Red Sox rank among the most complete teams in baseball, and although a lot is still being sorted out, this is a team that will make a lot of noise this season. That is not to discredit a talented Atlanta team, but Boston’s sports betting bonus depth is unrivalled.
