Red Sox aim to stay in playoff mix, take series from O's

Baseball Betting Lines

09/02/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox have missed the playoffs only once in the previous seven years, but are in danger of being left out for the first time since the 2006 campaign.

The Red Sox are seven games off the wild card lead and eight games behind for the top spot in the American League East Division, and will shoot for a series win tonight against the division-foe Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. They were able to even the set with Wednesday's 9-6 come-from-behind victory in which Boston scored six runs during the seventh inning.

Marco Scutaro hit a two-run homer, Victor Martinez plated a run with a double and Adrian Beltre capped the scoring with a three-run blast for the Red Sox, who rebounded from Tuesday's series opening loss and improved to 2-3 on a six- game road trip. J.D. Drew also homered in the win. Beltre needs three RBI for 1,000 in his career and leads the Red Sox with 91 for the season.

Jon Lester started for the victors and recorded the win, despite allowing eight hits and five runs over six innings. The lefty, who fanned 10 batters, is now 13-0 lifetime against the Orioles.

"I don't think it really matters how many losses in a row we have or wins," Lester said. "We just need to chip away and get some wins. It's obviously nice to come back tonight and do that."

Jonathan Papelbon posted a scoreless ninth for his 34th save.

Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka has allowed four runs in three straight and four of five starts, and is expected to take the mound Thursday night. He is 0-1 with a 5.31 earned run average in his last three trips to the hill and did not record a decision in his last start on August 21 versus Toronto.

The right-hander lasted eight innings and was reached for four runs and six hits with eight strikeouts. He has struck out at least six batters in four straight starts and is 8-4 in 19 outings this season. Matsuzaka, who is 4-2 in 11 road appearances this season, made his 2010 debut at Baltimore on May 1 and suffered the loss in the 12-9 decision. The Orioles posted seven runs -- six earned -- in 4 2/3 innings against the Japanese hurler.

Matsuzaka is 3-2 with a 5.65 ERA in seven career starts against the O's.

Baltimore scored four runs in the first inning and had a 5-3 lead before surrendering six runs in the seventh. Mark Hendrickson took the loss for his contributions to the explosion, as he allowed three runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Jake Arrieta tossed the first five innings and allowed three runs on six hits with five strikeouts, while Alfredo Simon was also touched for three runs in relief for the Orioles, who had a four-game winning streak halted.

"Jake battled his way through five innings and kept the damage to a minimum, but there are a lot of good players over there with a track record, and they make you pay for the mistakes you do make," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said on the club's website.

Showalter is still one win away from 900 career victories. He will become the 64th manager in baseball history to achieve the feat.

Adam Jones drove in two runs in last night's loss, and both Ty Wigginton and Felix Pie finished with two hits and an RBI. Jones left the game in the seventh inning with back soreness, but should be able to play today. Jake Fox took over for Jones in the outfield.

Since losing five consecutive starts more than a month ago, Orioles starter Brad Bergesen has turned things around to the tune of a 3-0 mark with a 2.70 ERA in his last six starts, with his team going 5-1 in that span. He is slated to make his 25th appearance (23rd start) Thursday night.

In his most recent start at Angel Stadium last Friday, Bergesen held the homestanding Angels to only a run and four hits in eight innings. The righty improved to 6-9 with a 5.55 ERA this season.

Bergesen is 1-1 in two starts against Boston this season and 1-2 lifetime with a 3.71 ERA in four starts in this series.

Boston and Baltimore have split 14 matchups this season.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
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