With respect to the Pacquiaovs Hatton odds, the best clash of the titans in sports to watch right now is probably the Yankees vs Red Sox line. With both teams retooled for 2009 MLB betting, the rivalry should be better than ever. Let’s break down tonight’s matchup and another key National League baseball betting line.
Yankees vs Red Sox odds: Joba Chamberlain (0-0, 5.06) vs Jon Lester (1-2, 5.50), tonight at 7:10 p.m. ET MLB lines: Yankees +110, Red Sox -130
Hard to believe the Yanks and BoSox haven’t met yet this season, but all that will be forgiven when dynamic young starters Joba Chamberlain and Jon Lester go head to head tonight. Chamberlain’s talent is off the charts, but he’s still a work in progress; he has to get over his propensity for nibbling if he wants to go deep in games. He’s struggled out of the gate at the sportsbook and, while he has been successful at FenwayPark in the past (2-0, 3.00), he’s facing the hottest team in baseball as the Red Sox have won seven straight games. Jon Lester is 17-3 at home in his career and loves facing the Bronx Bombers (2-0, 3.42), so he’s a good bet to lead his team to victory tonight.
Online betting pick: Red Sox -130
Phillies vs Marlins odds: Brett Myers (1-0, 5.03) vs Josh Johnson (2-0, 2.91), tonight at 7:10 p.m. ET MLB lines: Phillies +114, Marlins -134
How are the Marlins only a -134 sportsbook favorite in this one? The matchup screams “Marlins blowout,” as flyball pitcher Brett Myers faces a lineup that specializes in long balls. Myers has served up a ridiculous seven homers in 19.2 innings over three starts so far this season. He has an ugly career mark against Florida (6-10, 5.58) and the Marlins’ top hitters all own him (especially Dan Uggla — .344, three homers, nine RBI in 32 AB), so the Marlins odds are a tasty catch tonight.
The Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at ToyotaCenter.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rockets listed as 6-point favorites versus the Trail Blazers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
BrandonRoy had 42 points and seven rebounds to lift the Trail Blazers over the Rockets 107-103 to knot their Western Conference first round series at one game apiece on Tuesday night.
Portland couldn’t cover as 6-point home favorites as the teams played over the 184-point total listed by sportsbooks.
LaMarcusAldridge went for 27 points and 12 boards for the Trail Blazers, who got 11 points off the bench from RudyFernandez in the win.
AaronBrooks dropped 23 points to lead Houston, while reserve Von Wafer scored 21 points for the Rockets.
Team records: Portland: 54-28 SU, 46-36 ATS Houston: 53-29 SU, 40-41-1 ATS
Portland most recently: When playing on Friday are 4-6 Before playing Houston are 3-7 After playing Houston are 5-5 After a win are 8-2
Houston most recently: When playing on Friday are 9-1 Before playing Portland are 6-4 After playing Portland are 7-3 After a loss are 9-1
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland’s last 5 games when playing Houston Portland is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games Portland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland’s last 6 games on the road Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 5 games when playing Portland Houston is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Portland
Next up: Portland at Houston, Sunday, April 26 Houston home to Portland, Sunday, April 26
The Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at WachoviaCenter.
Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 3½-point favorites versus the 76ers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Six players reached double-figure scoring as the Magic defeated the 76ers 96-87 in Game 2, and evened their best-of-seven first-round playoff series on Wednesday. The Magic failed to cover the 10-point spread, and the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 193.5.
CourtneyLee led the Magic with 24 points, while DwightHoward added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
AndreMiller netted a game-high 30 points and hauled down seven boards in that loss.
Team records: Orlando: 59-23 SU, 49-32-1 ATS Philadelphia: 41-41 SU, 36-44-2 ATS
Orlando most recently: When playing on Friday are 7-3 Before playing Philadelphia are 5-5 After playing Philadelphia are 8-2 After a win are 6-4
Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Friday are 6-4 Before playing Orlando are 8-2 After playing Orlando are 3-7 After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider: Orlando is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Orlando’s last 9 games The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Orlando’s last 8 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 7 of Philadelphia’s last 8 games Philadelphia is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games at home Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Orlando
Next up: Orlando at Philadelphia, Sunday, April 26 Philadelphia home to Orlando, Sunday, April 26
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cavaliers listed as 5-point favorites versus the Pistons, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
LeBron James went for 29 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists to lead the Cavaliers past the Pistons 94-82 to take a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first round series on Tuesday night.
Cleveland covered as 11-point home favorites as the game played under the 178-point total set by oddsmakers.
Mo Williams added 21 points and seven assists for the Cavaliers, who got 20 points from DelonteWest in the win.
RichardHamilton dropped 17 points for Detroit, while RodneyStuckey chipped in with 14 points and six assists for the Pistons.
Team records: Cleveland: 66-16 SU, 49-33 ATS Detroit: 39-43 SU, 34-48 ATS
Cleveland most recently: When playing on Friday are 5-5 Before playing Detroit are 7-3 After playing Detroit are 7-3 After a win are 8-2
Detroit most recently: When playing on Friday are 7-3 Before playing Cleveland are 4-6 After playing Cleveland are 3-7 After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider: Cleveland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Cleveland’s last 10 games when playing Detroit Cleveland is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Detroit’s last 10 games when playing Cleveland The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit’s last 8 games when playing at home against Cleveland Detroit is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Cleveland The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 7 games at home
Next up: Cleveland at Detroit, Sunday, April 26 Detroit home to Cleveland, Sunday, April 26
Like horses powering through the Kentucky Derby odds, MLB betting rages onwards with few teams backing down early in the season. The NL Central is suddenly looking like one of the top divisions in baseball betting, and some of its combatants are showcased at the sportsbook today.
Reds vs Cubs odds: Aaron Harang (1-2, 2.70) vs Carlos Zambrano (1-0, 5.21), today at 2:20 p.m. ET MLB lines: Reds +145, Cubs -165
The Reds vs Cubs line presents a nice sportsbook value opportunity today. On paper, the matchup seems to favor the Cubs, as Harang has been lit up at Wrigley Field many a time while Carlos Zambrano typically dominates the Reds. Looking closer, though, online betting fans should realize that this isn’t a typical matchup between these hulking aces. After a nightmarish 2008, Harang looks reborn in 2009 thanks to losing a bunch of weight in the offseason. He’s walked just four batters in 20 innings and has a complete-game shutout on his resume already. Zambrano, meanwhile, has walked nine guys in 19 innings and, while that’s not a surprise given his poor control, his usually unhittable stuff is getting knocked around. Big Z hasn’t found his groove yet, so baseball betting players should take advantage and make the Reds their sportsbook pick today.
Online betting pick: Reds +145
Dodgers vs Astros odds: Chad Billingsley (3-0, 2.84) vsWandy Rodriguez (1-1, 1.89), today at 8:05 p.m. ET MLB lines: Dodgers -131, Astros +111
Chad and Wandy should miss a boatload of bats in this MLB betting matchup. It looks frightening at first for the Astros, as the Dodgers’ offense has been rolling. While it wouldn’t be surprising to see Manny Ramirez launch another ball over the train set in left field, don’t expect much else for the Dodgers odds tonight. Rodriguez is sensational at Minute Maid; he had a sub-3.00 ERA and struck out over a batter per inning there last year and looks just as dominant at home so far this season.
Chad Billingsley is a true MLB betting ace and has pitched very well at Minute Maid in his career, but his control has been a bit spotty to start the year. He’s not in midseason form yet, whereas Rodriguez seems to be, so the Astros, who have won the first two games of this series, are a solid upset sportsbook pick.
The Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at AngelStadium.
RighthanderEdwinJackson will take the mound for the Tigers to start this game. Jackson is 1-0 this season with a 2.14 ERA.
It’ll be MattPalmer toeing the rubber for the Angels in this contest. RighthanderPalmer is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA so far this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Tigers scored five runs in a seventh-inning rally to defeat the Angels 12-10 on Wednesday. The Tigers won the game as a -110 pick’em, and the combined 22 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8.5).
CurtisGranderson was 3-for-4 at the plate with a solo home run and MagglioOrdonez also drove in two runs for the Tigers. JuanRincon tossed an inning of relief to record the victory.
Kendry Morales blasted a three-run homer and drove in five runs for the Angels. Scot Shields allowed four runs off two hits to suffer the loss in relief .
Team records: Detroit: 8-6 SU Los Angeles: 5-9 SU
Detroit most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Kansas City are 4-6 After playing LA Angels are 6-4 After a win are 5-5
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Seattle are 7-3 After playing Detroit are 3-7 After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Angels The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit’s last 9 games when playing LA Angels Detroit is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games Detroit is 4-10 SU in their last 14 games when playing LA Angels The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels’s last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit LA Angels are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Detroit The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Angels’s last 9 games when playing Detroit LA Angels are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games when playing Detroit
Next up: Detroit at Kansas City, Friday, April 24 LA Angels home to Seattle, Friday, April 24
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at MinuteMaidPark.
The Dodgers will trot ace Chad Billingsley out to the mound in this one. RighthanderBillingsley has a 3-0 record and a 2.84 ERA this season.
The Astros will counter Billingsley with Wandy Rodriguez. LefthanderRodriguez has a 1.89 ERA to go along with a 1-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Astros scored twice in the eighth inning and came away with a 6-5 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday, as -120 favorites. The 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
Hunter Pence went 2-for-4 at the plate, including a two-run homer for the Astros. ChrisSampson got his first win of the season, and LaTroyHawkins closed out the game for his second save.
AndreEthier had three hits in four trips to the plate, including a solo home run for the Dodgers, who were listed at EVEN odds for that game. RonaldBelisario allowed two runs off three hits in relief and suffered the loss.
Current streak: Los Angeles has lost 2 straight games. Houston has won 2 straight games.
Team records: Los Angeles: 10-5 SU Houston: 6-9 SU
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Colorado are 7-3 After playing Houston are 6-4 After a loss are 5-5
Houston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Milwaukee are 4-6 After playing LA Dodgers are 5-5 After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games LA Dodgers are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games on the road LA Dodgers are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing Houston The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Houston’s last 18 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston’s last 10 games Houston is 10-5 SU in their last 15 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers Houston is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Dodgers
Next up: LA Dodgers at Colorado, Friday, April 24 Houston home to Milwaukee, Friday, April 24
The Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Rogers Centre.
The Rangers will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander KevinMillwood in this game. Millwood has a 1-1 record and a 1.17 ERA this season.
Millwood’s opponent in this one will be ScottRichmond. The Blue Jays righthander has a 3.48 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rangers listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Blue Jays, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Blue Jays scored in the 11th inning to defeat the Rangers 8-7 and evened the three-game series on Wednesday, as -150 favorites. That game’s 15 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (10.5).
Rod Barajas cracked two home runs and finished with four RBIs for the Blue Jays. JasonFrasor tossed two innings to earn the win.
MichaelYoung went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two RBIs for the Rangers, who were +130 underdogs. C.J.Wilson gave up the winning run in relief.
Team records: Texas: 6-8 SU Toronto: 11-5 SU
Texas most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Baltimore are 2-8 After playing Toronto are 3-7 After a loss are 3-7
Toronto most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Chi White Sox are 7-3 After playing Texas are 5-5 After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 8 of Texas’s last 9 games The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games on the road Texas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Toronto The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto The total has gone OVER in 9 of Toronto’s last 12 games Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto’s last 7 games when playing at home against Texas Toronto is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
Next up: Texas at Baltimore, Friday, April 24 Toronto at Chi White Sox, Friday, April 24
The Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Camden Yards.
Bartolo Colon will be the starting pitcher for the White Sox on this day. Righthander Colon is 1-0 this season with a 3.86 ERA.
Starting this game for the Orioles will be AdamEaton. The righthander has a 11.25 ERA to go along with a 0-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the White Sox listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Orioles, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
JoshFields smacked a two-run homer and drove in three runs to help the White Sox cruise past the Orioles 8-2 on Wednesday, as a -105 pick’em. That game’s 10 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
ChrisGetz went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs, and three runs scored for the White Sox. JohnDanks completed seven innings on the mound for the win, allowing one run off four hits.
LukeScott homered for the Orioles, while JeremyGuthrie gave up five runs off eight hits over six innings in the loss.
Team records: Chicago: 8-6 SU Baltimore: 7-8 SU
Chicago most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing Toronto are 3-7 After playing Baltimore are 5-5 After a win are 4-6
Baltimore most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing Texas are 5-5 After playing Chi White Sox are 5-5 After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox’s last 5 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox’s last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 14 of Chi White Sox’s last 20 games when playing on the road against Baltimore Chi White Sox are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games The total has gone OVER in 9 of Baltimore’s last 10 games The total has gone OVER in 7 of Baltimore’s last 9 games at home The total has gone OVER in 14 of Baltimore’s last 20 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox Baltimore is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Next up: Chi White Sox home to Toronto, Friday, April 24 Baltimore home to Texas, Friday, April 24
The Tampa Bay Rays and the Seattle Mariners will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Safeco Field.
The Rays will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander James Shields in this game. Shields has a 2-1 record and a 4.58 ERA this season.
It’ll be FelixHernandez toeing the rubber for the Mariners in this contest. RighthanderHernandez is 2-0 with a 4.26 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mariners listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Rays, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Rays got out to a seven-run lead and went on to defeat the Mariners 9-3 on Wednesday, as a -110 pick’em. That game’s 12 combined runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
EvanLongoria had three hits and drove in three runs to lift the Rays, while CarlosPena had two RBIs. JeffNiemann tossed 5 1-3 innings for the victory, allowing three runs off three hits.
JoseLopez belted a three-run homer for the Mariners, and ChrisJakubauskas gave up six runs off 10 hits in just over three innings of work.
Team records: TampaBay: 6-9 SU Seattle: 9-6 SU
Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Thursday are 9-1 Before playing Oakland are 6-4 After playing Seattle are 7-3 After a win are 4-6
Seattle most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing LA Angels are 4-6 After playing Tampa Bay are 3-7 After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 games on the road Seattle is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Next up: Tampa Bay at Oakland, Friday, April 24 Seattle at LA Angels, Friday, April 24
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