MLB Betting – First place Tigers take on Red Sox in challenging series
Online sports betting handicappers are excited to see the Red Sox vs Tigers odds mean something again. The Tigers, who were a huge disappointment last year, are back in business this year due to a resurgent pitching staff. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are still steady, which will make for an entertaining mid-week series.
Red Sox vs Tigers odds: Tigers have modest lead in Central Division
- Rookie Rick Porcello was 5-0, 1.50 ERA in May
- Beckett-Galarraga match should be a high-scoring affair
- Tim Wakefield is 3-0, 3.27 ERA in day starts
Red Sox vs Tigers odds: Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-3, 8.82 ERA) vs Rick Porcello (6-3, 3.48 ERA)
Tuesday, 7:05 PM ET
The Tigers’ 20-year-old rookie, Rick Porcello, was outstanding in the month of May. He posted a 5-0 record with a sparkling 1.50 ERA. He’ll aim to stay hot against Dice-K, who has been unable to find any consistency this season.
Matsuzaka hasn’t looked so sharp since returning from the disabled list. He has made two starts, losing both, while posting and ERA of 6.30 and a WHIP of 1.90. He’s given up 14 hits in those two starts (10 IP), which indicates that he’s not at full speed yet. The Tigers bats should have a good day against a struggling Matsuzaka.
Red Sox vs Tigers odds: Josh Beckett (5-2, 4.60 ERA) vs Armando Galarraga (3-5, 5.50 ERA)
Wednesday, 7:05 PM ET
MLB betting odds makers will set up a line close to even on Wednesday as Armando Galarraga takes on Josh Beckett. While instinct might be to side with Beckett, keep in mind he’s struggled away from home this year. Beckett has an ERA of 4.99 on the road this year and opposing batters are hitting .287 against him.
Meanwhile, Galarraga pitches about the same at home and away, but in neither scenario is encouraging. He has an ERA of 5.50 this year and has given up 11 home runs in 10 starts. Expect some fireworks in a high-scoring affair on Wednesday as the combined score goes over the sportsbook set total.
Red Sox vs Tigers odds: Tim Wakefield (6-3, 4.55 ERA) vs Dontrelle Willis (1-2, 5.56 ERA)
Thursday, 1:05 PM ET
Tim Wakefield and Dontrelle Willis will finish up the Red Sox vs Tigers odds for this round in a day game to end on Thursday the three-game series.Wakefield enjoys pitching in day games as he’s made three day starts this year and has yet to lose. He’s 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA in day games while opponents bat .195 against him.
Willis is off his worst start of the year, giving up seven earned runs on 10 hits in just five innings pitched this past Friday. The Red Sox should have the pitching edge in this MLB betting matchup.
Skip Lalonde’s Pick: Playing at home, bet on the Tigers to take two out of three in this series.
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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.
