Red Sox odds – Keeping pace with fellow AL East juggernauts
As 2009 Red Sox odds go, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? That principle would usually apply, but the Red Sox face two problems in MLB odds this year. First, the New York Yankees retooled like few teams ever have in a single offseason through free agency. Secondly, the Tampa Bay Rays may actually improve again because of their youth, meaning it’s entirely possible Boston's somewhat quiet offseason leaves it behind the eight ball to start the season.
Sports betting - Red Sox lines: Boston counting on Pedroia, Youkilis to repeat 2008 performances
- Red Sox, Yankees both currently at +470 in World Series odds
- Jason Bay must again fill void left by Manny Ramirez
- John Smoltz’s midseason arrival will be a major boost
If you bet on baseball, you can’t possibly project the Red Sox for less than 90 wins once you see their 2009 roster. Even though 2008 was likely a career year for both Kevin Youkilis and reigning American League MVP Dustin Pedroia, even slight regressions would still leave them highly valuable to the Red Sox odds both offensively and defensively. Pedroia will follow speed demon Jacoby Ellsbury, who is rapidly becoming a perennial 50-steal threat, atop a fearsome batting order. Patient, versatile Jason Bay will be counted on to replace Manny Ramirez’s prolific production and definitely seemed up to the task last season, knocking in 37 runs in 49 games after arriving from Pittsburgh.
The rest of Boston’s hitters are still dangerous but definitely getting long in the tooth – particularly Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek—which might prove a bit scary for Red Sox betting. Of all the BoSox sluggers, David Ortiz may have the most to prove in 2009. Wonky knees have drained his power the last two seasons, but Ortiz made his career by defying expectations, so you may want to bet on a dramatic comeback at the sportsbook.
If you’re going to bet on the Red Sox, it doesn’t take a genius to realize the Boston bullpen is as close to automatic as it gets in MLB betting, so let’s move right to the starting staff. The net result should be the same as last year; while Josh Beckett should bounce back, Jon Lester and especially Daisuke Matsuzaka, who stranded runners like no one else last year, should regress. Beefy Brad Penny has talent but is constantly nicked up. It remains to be seen if he can cut it in the heavy-swinging AL East.
The ultimate wild card pushing the BoSox playoff hopes, no pun intended, is John Smoltz. The future Hall-of-Famer’s illustrious Atlanta Braves career ended last year after he had shoulder surgery and he won’t be available to pitch for Boston for at least the first two months of the season. However, he’s shown in the last few years that his stuff is still electric as ever and Smoltz could be the X-factor in the AL Pennant race.
It’s a shame three teams from the AL East can’t make the playoffs, as Boston, Tampa and New York all can and should win 90-plus games in 2009. Whether or not Boston makes the big dance is anyone’s guess but it certainly has the talent and experience to win it all in the World Series odds.
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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.
