Red Sox vs Braves Odds - Big, bad BoSox will bully Braves

The Red Sox vs Braves Odds don’t feature the marquee matchup many MLB betting fans expected for this time of year, but it’s still an important series. While the Braves have been somewhat of a bust, they’re still just four games out of first place thanks to the faltering Phillies. Can they beat the mighty Red Sox at home to make a statement?

Red Sox vs Braves odds: Power bats may gave Atlanta pitchers trouble

• Beckett beyond dominant against the Braves in his career
• Javier Vazquez in line for a win if he can survive J.D. Drew
• Rookie Tommy Hanson due for a wakeup call

Tonight, 7:35 p.m. ET
Josh Beckett (8-3, 3.74) vs Jair Jurrjens (5-5, 2.89)

I wouldn’t rush to call this an elite pitcher’s matchup in the Red Sox vs Braves Odds just yet.  Jair Jurrjens has pitched very well this season, but his ERA has risen a full run since May 2. It is worth noting, however, that he doesn’t wilt against top offenses; this season, he allowed two or fewer runs against the Phillies, Blue Jays and, last week, the Red Sox.

As solid as he’s been, he’s a less effective pitcher at home (3.43) than away. Also, a man named Josh Beckett stands in his way. The Red Sox ace is going in the opposite direction, having shaved three and a half runs off his ERA in the last two months. In seven career starts at Turner Field, he has a 1.62 ERA. He has a 2.22 ERA in 16 overall starts against the Braves. Oh, and he tossed a complete-game shutout against them last week. He dominates the Braves like he does few other teams, so you have to like Boston in the Red Sox vs Braves odds tonight.

MLB betting pick: Red Sox

Saturday, June 27, 4:10 p.m. ET
Tim Wakefield (4.47) vs Javier Vazquez (5-6, 3.18)

It’s business as usual for 42-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who keeps churning out quality starts and is on track for his usual 15 or so wins. He’ll be hard-pressed for another “W” on Saturday, though, as he struggles on the road this season and never pitches too well against the Braves. He has real trouble with veteran Garret Anderson, who’s faced him at the plate 70 times and driven in 15 runs.

Javier Vazquez looks like Johan Santana Lite in baseball betting this season, striking out hitters and allowing homers by the boatload. He’s especially dominant at Turner Field in 2009, striking out 68 hitters in 53.1 innings with a 3.21 ERA. Against the power-hitting BoSox, he’ll almost certainly serve up a gopher ball or two (to J.D. Drew, who hits .417 with four homers in 24 at-bats against him). However, he’s in such a groove at home that I think he bears down with a quality start to help Atlanta even up the Red Sox vs Braves odds.

MLB betting pick: Braves

Sunday, June 28, 1:35 p.m. ET
Brad Penny (6-2, 4.93) vs Tommy Hanson (3-0, 3.13)

Braves prodigy Tommy Hanson has many sports fans picking Atlanta’s sports betting odds since his callup. The power righty seems unflappable, having shut out the Yankees in his last start and beaten Cincy and Baltimore too. However, I don’t like his Red Sox vs Braves odds so much. In his last three outings, he’s walked 14 batters in 17 innings. That’s a stat that catches up with you eventually (read: Price, David) and the big Boston bats are the type that will punish poor location. Hanson has great stuff but isn’t throwing his fastball for strikes often enough right now.

Brad Penny’s physique and ERA don’t look great, nor does his 5.30 ERA in 10 starts at Turner Field - but he’s been solid lately, allowing three runs or less in eight of 10 outings and, quite simply, I think Hanson will get rocked Sunday, so Penny will get enough run support.

MLB betting pick: Red Sox

For more sportsbook betting tips and Red Sox vs Braves odds, keep reading the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.

Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.